This year, Form 4 scholarship students Gabriel and Yasmin took part in the Harvard MLAB (Mentoring and Language Acquisition for Brazil), an initiative aimed at high-achieving Brazilian students from low-income backgrounds. The programme stands out for offering direct mentorship from Harvard University students, providing an academic immersion that combines English language development, structured debates, and activities focused on critical thinking and collaboration.
Throughout the experience, participants also have the opportunity to exchange perspectives with young people from diverse backgrounds, broadening their worldview. Gabriel and Yasmin’s participation in MLAB was made possible with the support of the St. Paul’s Foundation, through a partnership with the Harvard office in Brazil, reinforcing a shared commitment to expanding access to transformative educational opportunities.
For both students, taking part in the programme represented far more than an academic experience: it was also a moment of discovery, personal growth, and the strengthening of their ambitions. “When I found out I had been accepted, I could hardly believe it,” Yasmin recalls. “I was extremely excited, and my mind filled with thoughts about all the possibilities and opportunities the programme could offer me. This experience gave me a lot of hope and made me realise that anything is possible, and that I can go wherever I want, whether to Harvard or any other university.”
Yasmin also highlights the support she received throughout the process, which was essential in helping her prepare for the experience and make the most of everything the programme had to offer.
She also shares that she built meaningful connections with other participants. For Yasmin, living this experience alongside friends was something truly special. “At first, when I received the news that I had been accepted, I didn’t imagine that I would also make such special friendships with so many incredible people. Harvard MLAB ended up teaching me much more than I expected — not only about studies, but also about dreams, unity, and friendship.”
Gabriel also reflects on the moment he found out he had been selected for the programme. “When I found out I had been selected, I felt very happy and a bit surprised, because it’s an opportunity that very few people have,” he says. The programme offers a limited number of places, making this achievement even more significant for those accepted.
During Harvard MLAB, Gabriel took part in discussions, activities, and projects that encouraged critical thinking and the exchange of ideas with other students. “It was very interesting to hear different perspectives and learn from students from different places, both from Harvard and from Brazil,” he explains. “It was also a very good way to practise my English, especially informal communication.”
Beyond academic learning, the experience also had important personal impacts. “It broadened my worldview, helped me develop new skills, and gave me even more motivation to continue seeking learning opportunities in the future,” Gabriel says.
At the end of the programme, Yasmin summarises its impact: “Taking part in MLAB was an experience that changed me for the better. I can say with complete certainty that I left as a different person from when I started.”
Programmes such as Harvard MLAB allow students to broaden their perspectives, develop new skills, and engage with different ideas and realities. These are lessons that continue to shape participants long after the programme ends. Initiatives like this are only possible thanks to partnerships and the support of donors and institutions such as the Harvard office in Brazil, who believe in the transformative power of education and the exchange of knowledge and experiences. Through this collective effort, our scholars not only benefit from their education at St. Paul’s but also have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of learning experiences, both within and beyond the school, further enriching their journey.