#LetRihamStay

My name is Riham and I am a migrant postgraduate student at The University of Warwick in need of your urgent solidarity and support at this crucial time.

BACKGROUND

I came to the UK in October 2018 to start a postgraduate MA degree in Film and TV Studies at the University of Warwick. Shortly after I began my studies, I was sexually assaulted. Despite reporting my sexual assault to the police immediately after it happened, after eight months the police decided not to press charges. I was left having to pick up the pieces in getting counselling for trauma and it took an additional six months before I could be seen by the Coventry Rape and Sexual Assault Centre (CRASAC). I went through a very difficult time of feeling scared and angry because justice was never served. During this time, study extensions were granted so that I could properly deal with my mental health.

Despite what happened, I continued to engage in my studies. I attended all my classes in addition to completing coursework for two of my modules and receiving a distinction.

However, in February 2021, another catastrophe befell upon me. I was diagnosed with stage three uterine sarcoma – a rare and aggressive cancer. I had major surgery in April 2021 and then started chemotherapy in July 2021. I have been undergoing chemotherapy since then and without a break.

To make matters worse, my father passed away in December 2021 from cancer. I could not be with him in his last hours because of my own cancer and ongoing

treatment, and I was also unable to attend his funeral.

CURRENT SITUATION

While still receiving chemotherapy, the University of Warwick, on 19 May 2022, decided not to grant me another study extension. At a time when my health is in a very fragile state, while also trying to focus on my studies, I was forced into a

bureaucratic battle with the university, being told there was no appeal against the university’s rejection of my extension request.

Only due to support from external organisations and individuals the university

reverse its initial rejection of my request for an extension. However, this came

after I had already suffered several weeks of anxiety and stress around my student status while undergoing intensive chemotherapy.

As an Egyptian passport holder, the university is my visa sponsor. If I were

withdrawn from the university, my student visa would be terminated, and I would be forced to return to Egypt, preventing me from accessing the urgent and specialised care that I am receiving here in the UK to stay alive.

Thankfully, it hasn’t come to that yet. However, now, I will have to reapply for another student visa, and I will need your solidarity to help me raise the funds needed to file this student visa extension and other legal fees.

Every disabled student, whatever their citizenship and background, should be allowed to complete their studies without rubrics that are meant to make them fail and/or to force them out. I didn’t expect to become so unwell at this stage of my life. While there is breath left in my body, I want to finish my degree. I also want to stay in the UK to receive the urgent and specialised medical care needed to stay alive.

Please support my GoFundMe via URBC, raising funds to pay the visa and

miscellaneous legalm fees as I set out to file an application to the Home Office

for an extension to my student visa. I must raise all funds before Monday 20 July. Any donation that you can provide, big or small, will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your support!