Fund Michelle's Hands-On Archival Studies in UK

Help Michelle Fund Dream Master’s Program in the UK!

Hello all! I was recently accepted into the University of Manchester’s MA (Master of Arts) one-year (September 2025-2026) program for Library and Archive Studies.

It has always been a dream of mine to live, work, and study abroad, especially in Europe.

As an American working part-time in my local library system, I have put together this donation page to crowdfund for my studies and life abroad.

Funds from this fundraiser will go towards my student visa application process and a deposit for accommodation.

I sincerely appreciate any donations. Feel free to share this with your personal and professional network on my behalf.

Thank you for helping me fulfill a lifelong dream!

Cost Breakdown:

£1,000 Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). This deposit is needed before I can apply for a student visa (UK). +

£524 to apply for a Student visa from outside the UK. +

£776 per year for immigration health surcharge (IHS). +

£400 Advance Licence Fee payment to secure accommodation (housing). =

2,700 Pound sterling equals 3,583.98 United States Dollar (via Google 05/04/25)

Any additional money raised with go towards my flight, abroad living costs etc. (the technicalities of moving and living abroad).

For additional context, I was in an online MLIS program (Master of Library and Information Science) from January 2024 until February 2025. While I enjoyed most of my classes, it was generally library and information sciences based. As someone who wrote their personal statement focused on archival studies, I felt as if this program wasn’t the right fit for me.

In the fall of 2024, I took a class on the introduction to archival theory and practice and was unfortunately disappointed.

I realized that archival studies are meant to be taught and learned in a hands-on environment. After all, archival jobs exist in cultural heritage sites such as museums, academia, and organizations. Sure, some parts of digital archival roles can be done online, as the name suggests, but the industry as a whole is not done remotely. Therefore, studying remotely doesn’t feel most aligned. Most library science programs in the United States are taught online; therefore, to achieve hands-on learning, I sought to obtain a Master’s degree in person elsewhere.

Having worked in the public library system for over a year now, I am even more passionate about library science. I would love to continue what I have learned in my career and studies thus far in an in-person environment at the University of Manchester.

With love and gratitude,

Michelle Machesney

May your generosity return to you tenfold✨

P.S. My birthday is June 17th, so if you would like, you can donate to me as a present! Either way, your donations, shares, time, and attention are gifts!