Nazira’s semester at Lancaster University

Being a 21-year-old lower-middle-class student from Kazakhstan has its merits. Unfortuntely, being able to afford Lancaster University fees is not one of them (£5652).

I've been offered to study there for a semester as an exchange student. My home university provides financial support for its students, which covers roughly 30% of all costs. I applied to multiple universities over the past 3-4 months. Some of them didn't have my major (which is translation studies) or modules taught in English, some of them didn't reply and I missed the deadlines. The other ones weren't high enough in the QS University Ranking (necessary if you want to apply for financial support).

I'm sorry if I come across as moany, I just want you to see that I tried to find something... *uhm*... cheaper. I knew that studying in the UK was a far-fetched idea for someone like me. But I can't let this opportunity slip away and sit doing nothing.

England plays a disturbingly big role in my life (jk :D). But in all seriousness, I would go mad if not for its cultural product since all my friends and half of my family left the country in search for a brighter future outside of Kazakhstan.

I want to take part in ongoing discussion on mental health, social activism, gender equality and spirituality, which is practically non-existent where I live, and put it to use. Leaving the stuffy city I live in and coming back refreshed and ready to make a change, that thought alone makes me tear up.

BTW, I'm a proud member of the Church of Wittertainment and Banging Book Club.

I've been working and saving for quite some time hoping that it would be enough. If it doesn't work, I'll live, most people don't even come close to this. However, if you contributed to this little (but personally, meaningful) cause, I would very much appreciate it.

Have a nice day wherever you are!