My name is Zefan, and I’m from Indonesia. I recently graduated from the University of Glasgow with a Master’s in Education in Museums and Heritage. A life-changing opportunity made possible through a Erasmus Mundus program.

Living in Glasgow has transformed me in ways I never imagined. This city welcomed me with kindness, acceptance, and warmth. For the first time, I learned what it truly feels like to belong, to be supported, to be safe, and to be free to express who I am. These experiences have shaped both my personal journey and my professional path in the museum and cultural sector.

Glasgow has become my home.

But because I arrived on a Student Visa, my legal right to stay will end very soon. I’m eligible to apply for a Graduate Visa, which would allow me to remain in the UK for two more years, continue growing, and contribute meaningfully to the society around me which appreciate art and museums as a source of knowledge.

The cost of this visa route is £2,950

(£880 application fee + £2,070 NHS surcharge).

As a queer person, going back to my homecountry would mean returning to a place where I cannot live openly. The current political climate is difficult for people like me, especially in the arts, where freedom of expression is essential. I’m afraid of losing that freedom and voice I’ve finally found here. I want to stay in the UK so I can continue growing and use what I’ve learned to give back through the work I care most about: art education.

Since my scholarship support ended in August, I’ve been working many casual jobs (in a gallery, a museum, night club, and in retail) to support myself and save as much as I can. But covering the full visa cost alone has been incredibly difficult whilst supporting my life independently.

I’m asking for your help. Any donation, no matter the amount, will go directly towards my Graduate Visa application and will make a genuine difference in helping me stay in a place where I can live safely, continue learning, and keep contributing to the community that has embraced me.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. If you’d like to talk more about my journey or experiences, I’d be more than happy to share.

With love,

Zefan