Student stories

Leigh's story

I love studying History at the University of Edinburgh. You can feel the history here. When I walk through Old Town and down The Royal Mile, I can’t help but think about the thousands of people before me who have made the same journeys.

The first time I visited Edinburgh Castle, I had to take a moment. “I’m here”, I said to myself. “I’ve done it, I’ve made it.”

You see, it was always my dream to study at university. I knew I had the ability but I never felt like it could be a possibility.

I couldn’t afford it, nor could my family. I started to look at scholarship options and that is when I found the Global Access Scholarship at the University of Edinburgh.      

It has been a life-changing experience studying abroad. I have made many friends from the UK, been able to explore Edinburgh and found my favourite places for a cheeky bao bun (Sister Bao) or a deserved ‘end of exams’ pint (Southsider pub). A trip to the Highlands is on my to-do list!

Aside from these wonderful experiences, the main reason the scholarship has changed my life is that it has opened up opportunities for a career that I would not have been able to access otherwise.

I want to study a Masters here and gain my Doctorate before becoming a professor. That is my goal. And it now feels possible.
 

For now, I want to say thank you. Thank you to the alumni who have supported scholarships and helped me realise my dream.