Kate's sound production internship in Shanghai

 

I am a 20 year old Polish immigrant to the UK and an aspiring sound producer currently in college pursuing education in this area. I recently found an organisation (China Internship Placement [CIP]) that would help me fulfill my dream of starting a professional career outside of Europe. An internship in a multimedia company would provide me with a strong advantage in an industry that values practical experience over formal education and it would be an invaluable asset in an industry that is made up of less than 10% women and over 90% men (according to pro-tools-expert.com). The 6 month internship offer at CIP costs around £6500.

 

 

Coming from a lower income Polish family I've always dreamt of a career that will expand my horizons. I've been interested in sound my whole life and as a 6 year old I started learning piano which progressed into attending State Music School at 14. I learned viola, piano and multiple music theory subjects which are greatly paying off at my current level of education. I was also a member of three different choirs, and was leading one of them for a year. I took extra English classes alongside music school and regular secondary school. After graduating I decided to move to the UK which was the only way for me to continue my education in this direction. Studying and working at the same time in a foreign country taught me many valuable skills which allow me to fend for myself even in challenging situations. I am attending college in an HND course in sound production that further assures me in my love and dedication to studio work.

 

I would love to continue my pursuit of sound producing in China, where the music and visual media industry are dynamically developing sectors. In anticipation for my leave I started learning Mandarin Chinese as my fourth language (following Polish, English and Russian). 

 

Given my parents' tough financial situation me and my elder sister had to move to a wealthier country to be able to support ourselves. We are both working in the UK while studying and thus we're not able to earn much more than minimal cost of living. Both my parents live and work in Poland. My mother is an elementary school teacher and my father a blue collar worker. In spring 2008, as many other people in Poland, they were tricked by bank advisors into taking a loan in foreign currency (CHF) to be able to move from our one bedroom flat where the whole family had to share one room to a decently sized flat, where me and my sister could have our own study spaces as we progressed in our education. The loan brought dire consequences as after the 2008 financial crash my parents have to pay more than twice the amount of money they loaned. That means that even though my parents would like to help me financially they are unable to as they struggle themselves. 

 

I am currently working two jobs, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic I've received significant pay cuts that greatly affect my budget. I am attaching expected income and expenses for the next 12 months as I am planning to start my internship program next September. 

As you can see I fall short by about £5000. The expenses include basic home studio setup which I desperately need but couldn't afford for the past year. I intend to cut transport expenses by buying a scooter instead of taking the bus to work. Due to attending college I am unable to work more hours but I am trying my best to budget what I earn wisely, as it is a skill that came to me naturally through experience of growing up in a poor family. 

As a full-time student I am unable to take out a loan which forces me to seek financial aid by crowdfunding.

I greatly appreciate even the smallest help. Thank you