Get Jude to the University of Cambridge

Hello everyone!

 

My name is Jude Borgan, I have been living in the UK with my mum and two sisters for the past 6 years. In 2021, I achieved straight A*s in five subjects in my A levels (4.0/4.0 GPA). These grades put me in the top 1% of the students in the UK. I was also awarded the STEMM Gold Award in addition to a silver award in the British Chemistry Olympiad.  In 2022 I received an offer to study a Natural Sciences undergraduate degree at the University of Cambridge, Newnham College (Ranked in the Top 3 universities in the WORLD). I am the only female student from Jordan to receive an offer from Cambridge to study this course in the last 20 years. Being offered this place I will be a representative of a highly under-represented group in STEM in Cambridge (female, Arab, Muslim).

Unfortunately, there are no funding opportunities provided by Cambridge for international students from the MENA (Middle Eastern and North African) region. Furthermore, there are no government scholarships in Jordan for students wishing to study abroad. Additionally, I am not eligible for any UK government loans or bursaries.
 

When I applied to university in 2021, I received an offer from Imperial College London to study Biochemistry and found out that I had to pay International student fees. As I did not have sufficient funding for my place, I was forced to decline the offer and take a gap year. This was extremely devastating for me, so I set a goal to turn this obstacle into an opportunity. I made an application to Cambridge and was fortunate enough to be accepted.

Once again I face the same barrier of international student fees. During my gap year, I secured £11,000, but considering the tuition fees, college fees and living expenses for the first year add up to £57000, I am still short on £46000. This funding barrier could prevent me from continuing my studies indefinitely, as I will always be considered an International student, despite completing my secondary school and A levels in the UK. If I don't secure the tuition fees for the first year of the course, I would not be able to confirm my place at my dream university.

 

Through your support, I can join Cambridge and work towards raising awareness on the issues of gender equality in Science and the importance of encouraging aspiring scientists from all background to voice their ideas and identities in an open and healthy space of discussion and learning. I plan to do this by joining the Cambridge Scientific Society committee and by inviting guests of under-represented backgrounds to inspire others like me.

 

I am indeed in a very difficult situation, your support is immensely crucial.

 

Thank you very much,

Jude.