Intern Spotlight: Mylo Bouckaert
we asked one of our interns about his student experience and aspirations for the future
August 13, 2026
Hi, my name is Mylo Bouckaert and I am an Environmental Science and Engineering student at Trinity College Dublin. I grew up in Brussels, in Belgium, with a Belgian father and Irish mother. I went to a Dutch-speaking school until I was 14 years old. In the last three years of my secondary school, my life changed a lot as I went to a rugby academy in a French-speaking school. I chose to study at Trinity College Dublin, as it was the perfect fit to be able to combine my sporting and academic passions. I also still have a lot of family in Dublin.
Reflecting on your time in academia, what were some of the most significant challenges you faced, and how did they contribute to your personal and academic growth?
My first real challenge in school was when I switched to a French-speaking school, as I did not speak French at home. This was quite hard at the start, but after a few months I got used to it. I can happily say I am fluent in French now.
Another big challenge I faced recently was the foundation scholarship exams at Trinity College. It was a full semester of intense study without a guaranteed outcome, which was a first for me. I was very lucky that one of my best friends, Finn Mclean who also spent some time interning with GUA, was in the same boat as me. We pushed each other and encouraged each other to keep going when motivation was low. Even though we both did not get the scholarship, we are very happy we tried and gave it our all, leaving no regrets.
Beyond your individual success, how do you envision your academic achievements contributing to your community or the broader world?
I chose the course Environmental Science and Engineering at Trinity as I want to help the world become more sustainable and environmentally friendly. I hope to find a topic soon where I can work on contributing to this and publish an article and of course, submit it to the Global Undergraduate Awards!
Many students have diverse interests. How have you managed to integrate your academic pursuits with your other passions or interests?
I think it is very important to have diverse interests. Combining my sporting and academic passions, I hope, helps me to be a more well-rounded person. Being able to discuss with different people on different subjects is very nice.
Combining the demands of playing rugby at a high level and my academic studies has made me more time-efficient. Having my week planned out helps to be able to combine multiple passions and gives me a relaxed feeling.
Maintaining a balance between academics and well being is crucial. How have you managed stress and found time for self-care throughout your studies?
Playing sports throughout my studies, especially during exam periods, has helped me immensely. No one can stay focused and study productively for an entire day, just as no one can train all day effectively. Keeping your regular habits and routines during exams is important because it helps reduce stress and maintain balance. I like to think of it this way: studying gives me a break from sports, and sports give me a break from studying.
Given the global nature of the Global Undergraduate Awards, how has exposure to different cultures and perspectives influenced your academic and personal development?
Seeing the journey of The Global Undergraduate Awards alumni all over the world has been very interesting and motivating. Seeing so many passionate students has given me a heartwarming feeling and gives me hope for this new generation, which will hopefully have a positive effect on the world.
For students aspiring to achieve academic excellence, what advice do you have based on your own experiences?
“If you’re not in, you can’t win”.
Why would you not do something because you could fail? As I said before, I am very happy I tried to get the foundation scholarship, although I did not get it
