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Two Burnaby students selected for premier's scholarships

Two Burnaby students are among those selected for the premier's scholarships to study abroad. The scholarships, valued between $6,000 to $10,000, went to a total of eight students in B.C.

Two Burnaby students are among those selected for the premier's scholarships to study abroad.

The scholarships, valued between $6,000 to $10,000, went to a total of eight students in B.C.

Fourth year SFU student Jevta Lukic was thrilled to received $6,000 to further his education. Lukic is studying business administration at a top-level European school of management.

"I could not believe it," Lukic wrote in an email from Paris. "It is a great feeling to be supported and to know that the generosity of others will allow me to have a fulfilling academic exchange without having to worry about the operational costs of living abroad."

Lukic plans to use the award to pay for housing and food while he studies in France, which

will allow him to focus on volunteer activities and international pursuits in Paris and in Canada.

Jevta spent his early life in war-torn Serbia, which inspired him to follow a career in community development.

"Growing up in Serbia, I experienced some terrible things and saw friends and other citizens experience even worse things. These experiences have given me the drive to make my every day count and to continually strive to improve myself," he said. "I understand what it feels like to be in a less fortunate and helpless position. I plan to use business to create positive change both in Canada and internationally."

Burnaby's Jessica Lau also received a $6,000 scholarship. The Capilano University student has travelled to Amines, France, to study at the Picardie School of Management. Lau is a fourth year business student, and she's planning a career in program development for diversity and cultural awareness. The scholarship money will help cover living costs abroad.

"Through this opportunity abroad, it will help further my understanding of different cultures, broaden my horizon and knowledge of the world and develop my capability to work with different cultures," she wrote in an email from France.

Her career goal is to help increase the understanding and appreciation of diversity.

"I believe people are all unique and so much can be learned from the differences; I had experience and understand the importance of learning from different cultures," she said.

"Since my career goal is to help more people be culturally aware, it is extremely important for me to be culturally knowledgeable and sensitive," she said. "I realized the best way to learn another culture is through being embedded in it. There's a Chinese saying which translates to something similar to: Walking 1,000 miles beats reading 10,000 scrolls."

Money for the scholarships comes from interest on a $13-million endowment fund set up by the provincial government for international education. The Irving K. Barber B.C. Scholarship Society, in partnership with the Victoria Foundation, manages the endowment fund.