Anything Is Possible When We Are Brave: My UK Experience
Since I was in high school, I’d dreamed of living in the United Kingdom. When I got to college, I didn’t have the opportunity to do an exchange program, but I always held onto the dream of studying abroad. Over the years, things can sometimes change a bit, and our plans can also change. The process of applying to a master's program abroad isn't always straightforward; many questions arise, and sometimes we may even doubt our own capabilities.
Coming to the United Kingdom had always been my main goal; I was really interested in learning about British culture: immersing myself in small towns, visiting the locations featured in One Direction’s music videos, exploring one of the world’s largest history museums, and walking through streets shown in movies. Of course, on top of that, studying in the United Kingdom seems amazing to me because of the academic prestige of its institutions and the wide variety of postgraduate programs they offer, which are hard to find in Mexico.
Multiculturalism and diversity have been some of my favourite aspects of my time here. Learning from each of my classmates has been very meaningful to me because it has allowed me to broaden my perspective, and now I know that there are endless possibilities and that sometimes the world isn’t as big as it seems. Imagine sharing a classroom with people who have worked at the UN… impressive, isn’t it?
When I decided to make my dream of studying abroad a reality, I started researching scholarships, loans, and financing options. And I’m not going to lie, along the way, I got frustrated because when people talk about scholarships, they talk about competition, and the application processes make it clear that your chances are very low. And when it comes to funding, there’s always the stigma that you’ll be saddled with “debt” for years. During my application process, I had the opportunity to hear about the experience of a FIDERH alumnus, and that’s when I realized that funding is a great opportunity to achieve your dreams and that it isn’t a debt; it’s an investment, not only academically but also personally.
The first step is to keep trying and explore every possibility to make it happen. A year ago, I couldn’t have imagined where I am today or everything, I’ve learned and experienced. It has been a very meaningful experience for me and has marked a milestone in my personal and academic life.
The support I received from Across the Pond was key throughout my application process, including the guidance they provided and the clarity with which they addressed all my questions. Across the Pond played a crucial role in my decision to apply for funding because, through them, I also had the opportunity to learn about the experiences of other FIDERH alumni who studied and worked in the United Kingdom.
Undoubtedly, without FIDERH’s support, it would not have been possible to pursue my postgraduate studies at the University of York and cover all my expenses as a student. Having financial security while living abroad is very important, and it’s something I value immensely.
I’d like to thank Across the Pond for all the support and guidance they’ve provided. Now that I’m about to graduate with a master’s degree in Global Development Politics from the University of York, the only thing I can say to future students is to give it a try, to always explore every possibility, and to find out about all the opportunities they can apply for. Anything is possible when we are brave!
-Vanessa
