Journey to Gaining a degree

Nearly five years ago, L- came to the UK as an asylum seeker. HWR helped to support her as she worked for a masters degree in journalism, which she received this spring. Here are some of her words about her journey: 

I always dreamed of writing books. Back home, I had already studied [journalism] for two years while working on TV and Radio. I wanted to use my previous experience, although there was a big gap since so many years had passed.

The most challenging part of the course was online classes. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to meet people and feel the ‘uni life’ properly. What I really enjoyed was feeling normal again, feeling like other people who get to have opportunities. For us asylum seekers, this is such a luxury.

I want to give many thanks to Herts Welcome Refugees, especially to Carolina and Maria. I wouldn’t have made it through without their help.

I am still fighting to get the right to work, and my asylum case is pending. 

I would definitely say to everyone not to think twice about pursuing higher education. Just do it!  It is the best feeling when you achieve what you work for. I know it is not easy, but it is not impossible either. All refugees and asylum seekers have at least two things in common, we are all survivors and fighters. We cannot let our difficulties define us. We are more than that. We can do better than that.

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