How am I going to pay for this?
Hello, I’m Diana, a nearly 30-year-old Mexican woman about to finish her master’s degree at the University of Sussex in England. When I decided to pursue a master’s degree, I had no idea where or what exactly I wanted to do; I just knew that I wanted to expand my academic and professional experience and seek something different that would give me perspective.
After talking to as many people as I could, I realised that in the end it was about doing something that would excite me, inspire me, and push me to feed my curiosity.
Doing a postgraduate degree abroad was a long journey that began long before I even applied. Finding at least an idea of which path to follow led me into a spiral of worry and anguish. What did I want to do? Where should I start? What are my real options? And finally, where am I going to get the money to do it?! The accompaniment of Across the Pond and the certainties I gained with FIDERH funding allowed me to see the idea of my life project as a real and achievable opportunity.
I had never studied abroad, nor had I even visited England at that time. During my applications, I realised EVERYTHING I needed to cover, budget, scholarships, accommodation. That’s how I came to Across the Pond. With the help of my advisor, I was able to find a clear guide to cover all the requirements I needed. She gave me the calm I needed by answering all the questions I had about the processes I had to face.
From Across the Pond, I knew and understood more about FIDERH, because although I was familiar with the fund, considering financing intimidated me. With the information my advisor provided, I understood how friendly this fund designed for students is, especially in its payment processes (because, of course, I thought, 'How am I going to pay for this?').
This year has been a challenging experience, yet one that has filled me with a sense of satisfaction. It allowed me to recognise myself and everything I add to the spaces in which I develop. Imposter syndrome has never been more real, but today I can look at my experience with admiration, which was more than just an academic goal. Having the support of FIDERH allowed me to achieve a level of self-validation and satisfaction that I had not previously felt, as I realised I had managed to bring myself to this point. I satisfied my desire to develop in a completely different environment. Sharing and learning from people with experience in various fields and professions gave me the perspective I was looking for.
I would definitely do it again.
- Diana