HANAHAN, S.C. – A Hanahan student is preparing for an international academic journey after being awarded a prestigious scholarship to study abroad in Costa Rica.
Namtran Tran, a 10th-grade student at Bishop England High School, has been selected to receive a Davis Scholarship to attend UWC Costa Rica, part of the globally recognized United World Colleges network.
The scholarship program, funded by philanthropist Shelby Davis, allows American students to attend one of 18 United World Colleges campuses located across four continents. The schools bring together students ages 16 to 19 from around the world to study the International Baccalaureate curriculum while living in multicultural residential communities focused on leadership, sustainability and global understanding.
Tran, the daughter of Phu Tran of Berkeley County, said her interest in the program began after discovering UWC through TikTok. What started as curiosity online eventually connected with stories she had long heard from her parents, both of whom studied abroad.
According to the release, Tran said watching her parents build lives in unfamiliar places inspired her desire to leave home, learn new languages and better understand the world through international experiences.
She also reflected on her experience as an immigrant, describing it as feeling like she was “running a different race” from many of her peers — an idea she said became central to her scholarship application.
Student active in church, volunteer work and advocacy
Outside the classroom, Tran has remained heavily involved in volunteer work and community service.
She assists her father with teaching Sunday school at church and works closely with children from immigrant families. According to the release, she has been especially moved by the maturity and responsibility many of the children carry while also encouraging them to enjoy being children and feel comfortable asking questions.
At Bishop England, Tran has also participated in advocacy and support efforts involving students with special needs. She has joined awareness walks and said she believes people should never be defined by labels or stereotypes.
“Everyone deserves a chance to show what they can do,” she said through the release.
Tran has also participated in service trips helping build homes for families in need, experiences she said showed her the power of compassion and communities coming together to help strangers.
Academic success fuels future goals
Along with her volunteer efforts, Tran has earned academic recognition throughout high school.
She has made the honor roll for two consecutive years and received an English award during her freshman year. She also identified AP Psychology as her favorite class.
Looking ahead, Tran said she hopes to pursue a career focused on helping others and is currently considering becoming a therapist.
Her upcoming studies at UWC Costa Rica will place her among students from around the globe as part of a program designed to promote peace, cultural understanding and leadership through international education.
