Windhoek Gymnasium learner heads to Yale on full scholarship
31 July 2025Max McFarlane, a learner at Windhoek Gymnasium, has been selected for the highly competitive Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) programme in the United States. After a rigorous application process and a recommendation from his physics teacher, Max secured a place in the Science and Innovation stream at Yale University – joining an elite cohort of 1,800 participants selected from over 13,000 global applicants.
Accepted into a world-class programme
YYGS is an academic enrichment programme hosted on the Yale University campus in New Haven, Connecticut. Max will spend two weeks immersed in lectures, seminars, and projects led by Yale faculty and student mentors. He was one of only 450 learners accepted into the Science and Innovation stream.
‘It was quite an onerous application process with quite a few essays he had to write in the holidays,’ said Max’s mother, Imme Hucke. The opportunity recognises both his academic ability and his drive to go beyond the classroom.
Scholarship makes Yale experience possible
Max’s placement came with a full scholarship covering tuition, accommodation, and meals – amounting to more than USD 6,500 in value. His family has travelled with him to the US and shared how excited they are about the opportunity.
‘We were very surprised and are very happy and excited for him,’ Imme shared. ‘This is truly a great gift to make this trip possible.’
Windhoek Gymnasium has offered its full support, with Operational Head Abrie Myburgh noting that ‘this is an opportunity not to be missed’ and confirming arrangements to help Max catch up on the schoolwork he will miss during the third term.