Scholarship students plan to change the world
We caught up with four of this year’s scholarship students to see the impact of alumni donations on their studies and to find out what the future holds for them.
The engineer
Kirsty Greener is in the first year of her Civil Engineering with Sustainability degree.
“I chose this degree due to its endless limits. One day I can be studying Geotechnics with the impact of earthquakes, the next fluids mechanics for water solutions and then the structure of a building. The course is so diverse and offers many options. This appealed so much to me, and knowing that in the future I could be so diverse, and so could my career opportunities with the chance to change the world!
“The most interesting part of my course so far has been the multi-disciplinary project at the end of term one. This gave me a chance to work with multi-engineering disciplines such as mechanical and electrical engineers. The project was to build a robot using a Lego mind storm kit, to conquer an assault course. This was a very challenging week that tested skills that I have not previously attempted such as programming. It was a challenge, but it was worth it to create a walking, working robot.
“The scholarship has enabled me to buy extra study and practical equipment (such as work boots) that previously I could have not afforded. It also enabled me to spend more time on my studies with a lower need for more work hours as engineering has a largely filled timetable. But the main way it has helped is it has given me a support ensuring that my studies will be as effective as possible. I owe a giant thank you for the donations that have made my experience so wonderful and I hope that future years are able to receive help just like me.”
The economist
Dylan Mistry is in the first year of his Economics degree.
“I was first interested in Economics when I was quite young when I noticed lots of firms closing down in the local area when the recession hit. The reason I chose to study it at university is because I have seen various standards of living through the UK and abroad, and I want to learn about Economics deeply so I can possibly help create or develop a small economic system where small economies in developing countries can grow and thrive.
“My scholarship has made a tremendous difference. Due to the scholarship I have not had to worry about where I will be getting the money to pay for my living costs such as food. It's been a great help and a relief on my mum who would have struggled to support me if I did not get the scholarship. I've been able to focus more at university in trying to succeed academically and not worry about financial issues which can affect one’s mind greatly.
“I hope to get a job to do with mathematics and development economics where I can help contribute to the well-being of those who are less fortunate. I would like to work in a firm that allows me to develop as an economist but as a person too. I want to be able to develop a system or a previous economic concept in which those with lower standards of living are able to develop their living standards through an economic process.
“People that donate to the Brunel Scholarship scheme are the reason why people like me are able to get to university. I'm not saying I am someone special, but I'm someone who wants to make a difference in this world, and without donations from people I and many others would not be at university today.”
The scientist
Ebtihal Farraj is in the first year of her Biomedical Sciences degree.
“I wasn't sure of what course to study at first, so I went to do a lot of volunteer work in hospitals, dentists and other medical industries, as I knew I wanted to work in that area. After all the work experience I realised that the most important part is the science behind all of those and then I knew that I wanted to do scientific research that will help improve medical treatments and so doing biomedical science will be the first step of my career. In the future I would like to work in labs doing research on Spinocerebellar Ataxia (a progressive, neurodegenerative disease).
“Apart from providing the extra support I need, the scholarship also makes me more determined to achieve better results. Scholarships provide a lot of support to current and future students as they help pay a good amount of the university fee or can help with buying books and equipment needed for the course.”
The teacher
Cydney Colton is in the first year of her Contemporary Education degree.
“I chose to study contemporary education as I have always had an interest in children and the way they learn. I chose this degree because it allows you to work with children in a variety of ways such as youth work and nursery, and also includes an extra year gaining a PG-CERT for becoming a primary school teacher.
“The most interesting part of my course so far is learning all the psychological aspects to a child's learning. Such as the different theories into how children learn, and also how a child's environment can affect their development, such as child abuse and gender identity disorders.
“The scholarship has allowed me to purchase and use resources which have helped me to develop and improve my writing skills academically and in essays. Before coming to university one of my main worries was writing the assignments as I do not find it easy to write academically. I was able to access books on academic writing, writing good essays, referencing help etc. All of these books have enabled me to lift my grades which will be beneficial in the end. Some of the scholarship has also contributed to my travelling costs to university and to my placement.”