Cambridge debates – dream or reality?

Hello, lovely world! Being positive and thus motivated– the thing which really helps to move forward. Since my childhood, life has put me in front of challenges. However, a smile surely shows my attitude to life, as I truly believe that there is nothing impossible in the whole world if you just put your mind in it and maintain a strong faith. Looking back to my life, I am happy with the fact how much I have done despite all the misfortunes. From my point of view challenge is a means to a great success. So I would really appreciate, if you could pay attention to hear the story of my lifetime.

My name is Julia. My home country is Belarus. I really love my motherland and happy with the fact that it has brought me up as a diligent learner who can go an extra mile. Long before graduation from Gymnasium №22 in Minsk, I constantly thought about different possibilities to broaden my horizons and finally did my possible to make my dream true. My dream was (and actually is) to catch different experience in my life, try myself in different spheres and at the same time to be as much independent financially from my parents as I could. Our country offers scholarships to A-grade students to study at Belarussian universities, but I was the lucky one who received a Swedish government scholarship to study at Stockholm School of Economics in Riga – the best university on economics in the Baltics. The most amazing thing is that I was among only 20 people from 4 countries who got this chance to feel this fascinating atmosphere of European education which is completely different to the Belarusian one. I felt like I was on cloud nine!

This summer I decided to try myself in a different field besides my extra-curricular musical education. I obtained a chance to go as a delegate to EYP conference and found it not only extremely appealing to me but also beneficial in terms of individuals and community on the whole. It teaches how democracy works, principles of tolerance and respect for different points of view. In fact, international relations is a specialization which I would have chosen besides economics. And I was extremely excited that the university which I am currently studying in has a Debate Society which now helps me to develop these skills. Striving to make utmost of my education, I regularly take an advantage of the wide range of activities, offered by the Debate Society to heighten my leadership abilities, cross-cultural awareness and communicational skills. And now I am among those who have been selected from our university to take part in Cambridge IV – one of the most prestigious British parliament debate tournaments! Frankly speaking, I have never dreamt about UK and the opportunity to meet professionals who do their best and share their knowledge, their skills. I will be able not only to challenge myself in such an atmosphere, but also to get the most from it and develop myself in many different terms. What can be better? I guess, nothing.

Unfortunately, I have to accept that I am overwhelmingly in need for your insignificant help to make my dream true. I would be totally thrilled to be considered for the financial aid. My occasion can definitely become a good example for those people who still choose not to take part in contests/championships/educational programs and encourage them to go one step further than give up.

The costs for my participation are as follows:

1. VISA fee - EUR 163 - need your help

2. Plane tickets - EUR 100 (Ryanair) - covered by myself

3. Accommodation - EUR 40 (the cheapest hostel) - need your help

4. Living expenses - min EUR 40 (some food + tickets to Cambridge) - need your help

5. Participation fee - EUR 57 - covered by Leif Muten Society

Even a minimal donation will surely help me. Today I have watched for the third time “The Theory of Everything” about Hawking and now I’m even more motivated into Cambridge not only because of the fascinating atmosphere which was created in the film by showing studies in Cambridge but also by struggle and inner fight of the man who was capable of doing everything to reach the aim he was crazy about.

Couldn’t make my long story short, but hope you really enjoyed it. Thank you for taking time to read this! Even more and more thanks if you help me with this problem.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me via [email protected]