Kyle Chea
- All Bahamas Merit Scholarship (2006) – Vassar College
- Sir John Templeton Memorial Scholarship (2017) – Duke University – The Fuqua School of Business
Kyle Chea’s collegiate studies began in 2006 at Vassar College. While earning his undergraduate degree in History and Chinese, he took advantage of new opportunities and began to row.
After completing his undergraduate studies, Kyle returned home to The Bahamas to work at The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs where he was the only Chinese-speaking Bahamian based at the Ministry during his tenure. In 2012, he founded the Nassau Rowing Club and with the help of community grants he was able to promote access to rowing for students throughout New Providence; some of these students are members of Lyford Cay Foundations’ FOCUS programme.
“At college, my teammates guided me as a novice into a new sport, and I began to shepherd underclassmen and novices myself when I was ready. Throughout my career, I have received mentorship from the most unlikely places and people, and I have wanted to pay back that kindness tenfold,” Kyle said.
In 2017, Kyle was the recipient of the Sir John Templeton Memorial Scholarship (2017) for graduate studies at Duke University.
“The Foundations’ assistance in funding my graduate studies at Duke paved the way to hone my due diligence and complex project management skills,” he said.
“I have been lucky to work with or be mentored by Foundation alumni, supporters, or board members and I am extremely grateful for their guidance,” he continued.
Kyle has two pieces of advice for new Scholars heading abroad. The first bit of advice is that they ask questions: ask how others have budgeted, ask how to make travel cost-effective, ask whether a credit card is necessary and if so which one; the second is to step out of their comfort zones and interact with non-Bahamians.
Kyle is proud of the way his parents instilled in him a strong desire to give back and grateful for the connections he has made through the Foundations.
He stated, “Being an alumnus and staying connected to the Foundations has formed a virtuous circle without which I could not have achieved the professional or social impact that I have.