How I Secured a Fully Funded Bachelor's at the University of British Columbia, Canada Through the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award

My name is Ridan Mahbub, and I am originally from Dhaka, Bangladesh, one of the world’s largest and most densely populated cities. With a population of more than 36 million people, Dhaka is home to nearly as many people as the entirety of Canada, crammed into a city smaller than Calgary.

Growing up in such a vast and diverse city played a big role in shaping my outlook and the person I am today. I had the privilege of attending a leading English-medium school, where I received opportunities that remain inaccessible to many young people in Bangladesh. This instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility to give back to my community. Throughout my time in high school, I became involved with non-governmental organizations and community initiatives focused on poverty alleviation and social development.

My school also exposed me to a wide range of extracurricular activities, including Model United Nations conferences, sports, and music. These experiences broadened my understanding of the world and helped me develop an interest in creating meaningful change in my society.

During this period, I became particularly fascinated by economics and its ability to explain inequality, development, and the decisions that influence people’s lives all around the world.

That interest ultimately inspired me to move to Vancouver, Canada, in 2022 to pursue a Bachelor of International Economics at the University of British Columbia. I chose this field because it allows me to combine my interest in politics and global affairs with my desire to understand, and eventually help address, the economic and social challenges facing communities such as the one in which I grew up.

Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award Details

I received the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award (KMILOT) at the University of British Columbia. The KMILOT Award recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership skills, involvement in student affairs, and community service. The scholarship covers the full cost of my tuition and a portion of living expenses throughout my undergraduate degree, along with access to a supportive community of fellow scholars. It is renewable for up to four years of study, provided that I continue to meet the academic and program requirements. The total amount of the scholarship is roughly 300,000 CAD.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

Yes, I received the Seymour Schulich BBA Entrance Scholarship from the Schulich School of Business at York University, the International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES) from The University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO), and the RSM Non-EEA Scholarship of Excellence and the Entrepreneurial Spirit Scholarship from the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Educational Background

I completed the Cambridge IGCSE and Advanced Levels. I received straight As in both examinations and took courses in Mathematics, Accounting, and Economics for my A Levels. I also studied a mixture of subjects from the Science stream, including Chemistry and Physics, and the Commerce stream, including Accounting and Economics. I believe that taking part in competitive examinations such as the A Levels and IGCSE prepared me to handle the stress and time-management demands of university. They also helped me prepare for many of the introductory Economics and Accounting courses I took as part of my degree.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of British Columbia?

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

I did a lot of research online and explored different options. Since I did not have a specific area of interest at the time, I applied to universities across Europe, Canada, and the United States. I received help from my school’s career counsellor with references and scholarship applications; however, most of the process involved independent research. I also took the IELTS exam, which I prepared for through a coaching centre as well as through self-practice.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award?

The KMILOT scholarship involves essays, academic grades, and extracurricular experiences. I had good grades in my board examinations and strong extracurricular experience, especially as the founder of Project Purple, one of Bangladesh’s firstyouth-led mental health platforms. I worked with my counsellor and elder brother to improve my essay answers, and I also took time to brainstorm the answers myself.

How Does the University of British Columbia Support International Students?

I have had a great experience at the University of British Columbia. Located in one of the most scenic locations in the world, I believe UBC offers a world-class education, gives students access to peers from all around the world, and has hundreds of clubs for virtually all kinds of hobbies and interests. Its close proximity to downtown Vancouver and the reputation it has in Canada also make the student experience very pleasant.

The campus is massive and incredibly beautiful, with four sandy beaches.

Academically, it is top-notch. I am a student at the Vancouver School of Economics, UBC’s economics school, which is regarded as the highest-ranking economics department in Canada and one of the top 20 in the world, with some of the most brilliant and talented professors. UBC's faculty and staff are great, and people I have met through UBC are very polite and professional.

What Did You Pursue After the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award?

I am currently in my 4th year of university. I recently completed an exchange semester at the National University of Singapore (NUS) on a full scholarship. Over the years, I have served in various roles at UBC, including as a Community Activator for the UBC Centre for Community Engaged Learning and a Peer Coach at the Vancouver School of Economics. Meanwhile, I have also completed some internships in Bangladesh and was a fellow of the Urban Planning program at CityHive Vancouver, Urban Revision. Going forward, I will also be completing an eight-month co-op at UBC as part of the Prospective Student Advising team starting in September.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe it was a combination of strong essays, relevant extracurricular activities, and good grades. The KMILOT scholarship looks for young individuals who are making an impact in their communities and are effective all-rounders - people they see as “International Leaders of Tomorrow,” as the name suggests. Through my essays, I was able to demonstrate my passion for creating change in my society and back that up with my experiences working with people from diverse backgrounds through my own NGO and other organizations. I also started my own start-up after I graduated and served as an organizer for various events at my school, including TEDx and Model United Nations conferences. Obviously, grades mattered, but I believe the overall balance of all these factors made my application stand out.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

Honestly, I would have had more confidence in myself throughout the process. I remember thinking that I had no chance of actually receiving the scholarship, and therefore, I did not give my absolute best to the application. Even though I am incredibly grateful for how everything worked out in the end, I believe that having more confidence in myself and faith in my abilities would have saved me a lot of unnecessary stress.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

I would recommend first understanding yourself and why you are applying to that particular degree, university, and scholarship. If you know your own strengths and weaknesses, everything becomes easier. I know it is difficult to have everything figured out when you are just graduating from high school, but taking the time to sit down and genuinely brainstorm where you want to see yourself, and then working towards it, would definitely be helpful. A scholarship committee is similar to an organization hiring employees: it wants to understand your genuine motivation. Therefore, apply for scholarships at universities you genuinely want to attend, and try to demonstrate that motivation through the grades you have received, the work you have done and the essays you write.