Benedicta Antwi hails from Faaman, a small town in the Bono Region of Ghana. She comes from a close-knit family and although growing up wasn’t always easy, she had a strong support system. She notes her brother who consistently reminded her that her starting point was never a limit to how far she could go. Studying Geomatic Engineering ignited her interest in the world beyond her immediate surroundings; it made her curious about how we explore, map and understand the world, eventually drawing her to the ideas of space and Earth observation.
Benedicta was driven to apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of British Columbia because of the opportunity to be part of something greater than just earning a degree. She was attracted to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program’s emphasis on leadership, community and real-world impact. At that time, she was actively engaged in student leadership and mentorship, and she knew she wanted to continue developing these skills while also pursuing her academic goals. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program seemed like the ideal place to pursue both.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program has supported her growth both academically and personally. She mentioned that beyond the financial support, it provides an environment that encourages her to lead, learn and give back. Through this support, she has been able to explore what truly excites her, from using satellite data to address real-world problems to gaining confidence in sharing her work and ideas. She came across the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program while figuring out her next steps and thinking about graduate school. She said that the application process was challenging. Balancing work and essays required focus, but it also helped her clarify her goals.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program challenged her to grow, not just in the classroom, but also in how she presents herself and takes initiative. One of her most significant achievements so far has been serving as President of the UBC 24/25 cohort and representing her community on the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council. She has also delved deeper into her research in Earth Observation and sharpened her content writing skills, writing for an audience and an industry she genuinely loves and understands.
Adjusting to a new academic environment while balancing leadership roles and personal goals wasn’t easy. There was a certain pressure that came with the title, as she wanted to represent the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program well while also figuring things out for herself. She learned to take things one step at a time, lean on the Mastercard Foundation Scholars community when needed, and remind herself that growth doesn’t always have to be loud to be meaningful.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC has helped her clarify her career path with greater purpose. She is now focused on working at the intersection of Earth Observation, climate, and community development. After graduation, her main goal is to contribute to solutions that combine satellite data and local knowledge, whether through research, policy, or innovation, especially in regions where both challenges and opportunities are significant.
She is working on an initiative that creates space for young people to explore mental wellness, environmental awareness, and geospatial knowledge. It’s based on the idea that many young people are unaware of the significant impact that fields like Geomatics and Earth Observation can have. Through this, she aims to create opportunities for learning, mentorship, and self-discovery, a space where minds can grow and connect with the world around them.
One of the most rewarding parts of her journey has been the people, being part of a community where everyone is doing something meaningful in their own way. A moment that stood out was meeting with other Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council representatives from about 30 different institutions worldwide. Hearing their stories made her reflect on how diverse our paths are, but also on how connected we are by a shared sense of purpose. It reminded her that she’s not just studying; she’s preparing to lead and give back in different ways.
Her overall advice to students applying to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is: don’t overthink your story, just be honest about who you are, what drives you, and what you hope to contribute. You don’t need to have everything figured out. What matters is showing that you’re open to growth and ready to make the most of the opportunity. Don’t hesitate to apply, even if you think you’re not the “perfect” candidate. You never know what could happen.