Maxine Janecek was awarded the ECF scholarship in 2023 for the final three years of her education at The English College in Prague. She graduated this term and during the graduation ceremony she was awarded the English Prize. Before doing her IB exams, she wrote to us, expressing her appreciation of the opportunities ECP and ECF have given her. You can read what she says below.
The ECF Directors wish her well in her future studies and hope she will stay in touch!
Maxine told us:
Having had the rare opportunity to attend ECP through the support of an ECF scholarship has profoundly shaped both who I am and who I aspire to become. From the very beginning, I was welcomed into a community where students and teachers alike always showed kindness and encouragement. This environment allowed me not only to feel safe and accepted, but also to grow in confidence and independence in ways I had not experienced before. What makes the ECP particularly meaningful to me is how it nurtured my individual passions. I have always loved Theatre, so having that creativity as a school subject permitted me to continue pursuing it. Performing and collaborating in productions pushed me out of my comfort zone and strengthened my confidence in public speaking and self-expression – skills I now consider central to who I am.
Discovering new interests, for example philosophy as an IB subject, challenged me to debate and explore different perspectives, and just like Theatre, to develop and share my own opinions in discussions. These passions have begun to shape my future ambitions. I plan to pursue an English language and Literature or Liberal Arts university degree, which would give me the opportunity to explore ideas across disciplines while continuing to develop both my interest in reading and writing skills. I am particularly
interested in how literature and philosophy intersect, and I hope to carry this forward into a future where I communicate ideas in a meaningful way, perhaps working in media or journalism.
The scholarship itself has made a significant personal difference. It has given me access to opportunities that I might not otherwise have had, from a broad and fascinating curriculum to extracurricular activities and school events that enriched my experience. Just as importantly, it has given me a sense of responsibility: to make the most of these opportunities and to fully engage with everything the school has to offer. The support behind the scholarship has motivated me to work harder, challenge myself, and appreciate the value of education in a way I had never realized before.
While the academic demands were challenging at times, they ultimately helped me develop resilience, time management, and self-discipline. With the guidance of my teachers and the support of my peers, I learned how to navigate these challenges and grow from them. Being treated as an individual capable of managing my own learning encouraged me to become more responsible and self-motivated, which are qualities that I know will be essential at university and beyond.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the donors who made this opportunity possible. Their support has not only allowed me to attend ECP, but has also played a crucial role in shaping my life in terms of confidence, ambitions, and future direction. I am incredibly thankful for the experiences I have gained and the person I have become as a result.
Overall, my time at ECP has been transformative, both academically and personally. I will continue to build on what I have learned here, carrying forward the curiosity and determination that the school has helped me develop.