Tomáš
Vrba

In 2012 I successfully completed the MPhil in Economics at the University of Cambridge, where I studied with the support of the Martina and Tomáš Krsek Foundation. It was my sixth year of study in the UK, where I first completed a two-year course at the Forest School in London, after finishing my fifth year at the Budějovická Gymnasium, as part of the Open Society Fund's Secondary School Scholarship Programme, which culminated in an A-level exam - the equivalent of the Czech Baccalaureate. I then went on as a Stelios Scholar with a three-year Bachelor's degree in Economics at the London School of Economics. During my studies I undertook several internships in the financial sector, including at Bain Capital, UBS Investment Bank and Pioneer Investments, as well as a number of non-profit activities including tutoring students at the university and at a local primary school. My other interests include sports (cycling, skiing, hiking), reading, and history. I currently work in the London office of The Boston Consulting Group, an international consulting firm.

How do I get a scholarship to study abroad?

Each year, the Krsek Foundation, will pay the tuition fees of 10 students admitted to master's degrees in engineering, natural sciences, economics, history and political science at one of the top universities listed below.

The scholarship is conditional upon confirmation of admission to a master's degree programme at one of the following schools. The maximum age of the applicant is 25 years.

Only students with Czech citizenship can receive the scholarship.

The application form includes:

• CV of the student in Czech language with information about his/her studies and experience so far
• portrait photograph in print resolution
• information about the school to which the applicant is admitted
• an essay (3,600 characters) in Czech describing why the applicant wants to go to the school, what he/she expects from it and what he/she wants to do after graduation
• proof that the applicant's and his/her family's financial circumstances do not allow them to finance their studies (e.g. copy of tax return)
• confirmation that the student has applied for a scholarship at the school of his/her choice but has not been awarded (or has only been partially awarded)

The Krsek Foundation will select the candidates according to the information provided in the application form and conduct interviews with the finalists (the interview includes a psychological-intelligence test)

Tuition fees will be paid directly to the school account.

The candidate will undertake to fulfil the following conditions:

• To hold at least three lectures for Czech high school and university students about their experiences, opportunities and advantages of studying abroad (the lectures will be organized by the Foundation) during the next 2 years.
• To produce an essay of 5,000 characters each year for five years on a topic assigned by the Foundation.

In general, the scholarship is awarded for the first year of the Master's degree.