Prep School by the Marta Kostyuk Foundation: Preparing Young Tennis Players for Education Abroad

Education and sport can develop side by side. For many young tennis players, international education and scholarship programs offer an opportunity to combine a professional sports path with studies at schools and universities abroad.

Challenges Young Tennis Players Face During Applications

In 2025, as part of our collaboration with Ukraine Global Scholars (UGS), we analyzed the pathways young athletes take toward such programs and identified a shared challenge. Talented tennis players demonstrate a high level of performance and motivation, yet face difficulties during the application process.

For many athletes, the most demanding stage is preparing application materials and navigating the selection process. Academic tests, motivation essays in English, interviews, and multistep application systems require a clear understanding of structure and expectations.

A lack of experience, information, or language preparation can affect outcomes even for athletes with strong sporting results.

What Is Prep School

Prep School is an educational initiative by the Marta Kostyuk Foundation designed for young tennis players. The program introduces participants to the key stages of applying to international education and scholarship programs.

The program lasts eight weeks and is delivered online. Its focus is on building a clear understanding of the processes, requirements, and selection criteria that athletes encounter during applications.

What the Prep School Program Includes

Within the program, participants work across several key areas:

• Navigating education systems abroad: an overview of student tennis, requirements for athlete scholars, and university admissions structures.
• Academic preparation: an introduction to the structure and strategies of the SAT (Math and Verbal) and the Duolingo English Test.
• Personal story and application essays: working on motivation letters and application texts with a focus on presenting personal experience in a clear and structured way.
• Communication skills: preparation for interviews and development of self-presentation skills.

Who the Program Is For

Prep School is designed for students in grades 8–11 who plan to combine professional sport with education abroad and are ready to approach this process systematically.

The program is intended for motivated participants who are working on their development both on and off the court.

What to Consider

Participation in Prep School increases preparedness for selection to international scholarship programs, including Ukraine Global Scholars. Outcomes depend on individual engagement, consistency, and personal effort.

Prep School is a pilot initiative and the first step in developing the Foundation’s educational programs for Ukrainian athletes.

How to Apply

Applications for participation in Prep School can be submitted via the link.

Program start date: January 16.