Student Ema Mateus, from Nova School of Business & Economics (Nova SBE), is the big winner of the sixth edition of the Gap Year Portugal scholarship. This unique opportunity will allow her to travel to countries such as Brazil, Peru, and Mexico to learn more about the world, promote her growth and personal development, and create a positive impact.
The Gap Year Portugal scholarship, which awards the winning candidates 5000€ so that they can have the opportunity of getting to know the world while developing soft and hard skills and helping local communities, elected Ema Mateus, a Nova SBE Bachelor's in Economics finalist student, as this year's big winner with the project "One life, one planet."
Under the motto of wanting to explore "the world around her and the world within her," Ema Mateus defined a trip itinerary and a self-discovery plan of 190 days heading to three countries to work on the sustainable impact she wants to have in these countries.
The project "One life, one planet" has Brazil, Peru, and Mexico as the main destinations and suggests a full cultural and local immersion in each while actively working towards three dimensions – economic, social, and environmental. This will allow her to develop her environmental and social awareness and learn more about sustainability. As such, Ema is set to help the communities she will be staying in while helping with every chore, from administrative help to cleaning and housekeeping.
When questioned about the importance of being this year's big winner, the student states, "As the winner of the Gap Year scholarship, what I feel is great enthusiasm and emotion. I am extremely thankful for believing in me and my project! Thank you so much, Gap Year Portugal, and thank you so much, Nova SBE, for teaming up for this unbelievable initiative that grants us a unique opportunity. I can't wait to begin this journey and explore new horizons!"
Nova SBE and Gap Year Portugal are proud of this scholarship that values talented minds such as Ema's who have in them the will to expand their knowledge about the world and prove that they can be and do better.
You can follow Ema and her inspiring journey through this Instagram page, which she will update throughout her travels.