Jasmine Paul '18

This #GivingTuesday, November 27, 2018, we’re celebrating members of the AUP Community who give back – and the impact of their philanthropy on current and future generations of Global Explorers. We are also highlighting the outstanding students who have benefited from their generosity, and the way these students have gone above and beyond to contribute to the AUP community.   

Today, we will hear from Jasmine Paul ’18 who graduated with degrees in International & Comparative Politics and Gender, Sexuality & Society, and was the recipient of an AUP Scholar Award.

When I was first applying to AUP, the cost of attendance was the only factor standing in my way. My parents were supporting me, but financially, we thought it wouldn’t be feasible for me to attend AUP. When I received my AUP Scholar Award (equivalent to 75% tuition), not only did I feel that my hard work in high school had paid off, but I also entered AUP eager to give back to the community that enabled me to attend my dream school in the first place.  

I knew from the beginning that I would thrive at AUP – I just had to get there first. I graduated a year early thanks to advanced credits from my International Baccalaureate diploma. Throughout my three years, I held two executive positions in student government, I was on the leadership board for a student-led charity and a magazine, I double majored and wrote two senior theses in my final year and I was invited to participate in a graduate level practicum at the French war college, École de Guerre. I am proud of my accomplishments, but I owe much of this to the fact that I was able to focus on school and student life instead of stressing about finances. AUP gave me this opportunity and I wanted to make the most of it for myself and for my community. 

The importance of scholarships cannot be stressed enough and has the crucial benefit of socioeconomic diversity. AUP attracts international students from diverse profiles as it relates to nationality, language, ethnicity, culture and sexuality. This would oftentimes not be the case if it weren’t for the support of the community in helping AUP give its most deserving students the financial support they need. Just as it is important to recruit students from backgrounds that look and sound diverse, it is equally as important to provide opportunities for students from varying socioeconomic backgrounds. More diverse backgrounds bring diverse dynamics, personalities, stories and participants, contributing to the unique “AUP learning environment.”

This #GivingTuesday join us in supporting #OneMoreScholar

Every year, students from diverse cultural and social backgrounds from across the globe choose to study at AUP. This is the cornerstone of our vibrant community and it depends on ensuring that financial realities do not define your decision to receive a world-class education. In 2018 we want to shine a light on the importance of scholarships in making this a reality.

We hope you will join AUP alumni, parents, friends and students around the world this Giving Tuesday in demonstrating your support with a contribution and by helping us spread the word about how you can support #OneMoreScholar. Our goal is to raise €4187, the average amount of one scholarship in the 2017-18 academic year, an amount that can make the difference and help an incoming student realize their dream of attending AUP.

Learn about the different ways you can participate and contribute