Student Steph Welton accepted into College in USA
Embedded Files
Steph, an Access to HE Science student, and the Student's Union Mature & Part-time Student's Officer has had her application accepted to study at North Idaho College in USA.
Below is what she said about her experience, as well as some photos from when she visited Idaho over Christmas...
Why were you interested in going to College in the United States?
I've always had an interest in studying in the US, it's just something that I've dreamt about since I was little. I've had a really rough few years, I'm a 2x domestic abuse survivor, and I've taken the last 18 months to heal mentally and physically while trying (and succeeding) to move my life forward.
When I met my partner, Matt (who lives in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho), in 2020, we were sat talking about our childhood dreams one day and I told him that mine was to be a university professor at an Ivy League School like Yale or Harvard. I'd always put it aside as a silly childhood dream but he asked me, "Well, why don't you pursue it?" I told him it was a daft idea as the expense alone would be ridiculously high.
But after a few weeks, I remembered that I am the ringmaster of the circus that is my life and I can do anything I put my mind to. I applied for the Access to HE - Science course at City Campus and looked into the degree programmes at the universities close to where Matt lives. I reached out, initially, to Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington and was advised by them to not only apply there but also to apply for North Idaho College. I did as they advised and applied to NIC in October.
When I visited Idaho at Christmas, I got the email that my application had been accepted and when I say I screamed... Matt's whole family was there and an evening of Christmas present wrapping turned into a celebration with lots of jumping around and happy tears.
What was the application process like?
Pretty simple if I'm honest. I browsed their degree programmes and found one which fit the bill perfectly - Education with Biology. Because North Idaho College is a community college, there was no application fee and they're accepting my results as I receive them through the course of the college year.
The hardest part of the application process is right now. I'm 100% scholarship dependent in order to study there and the cost of tuition is $20,000 per year.
That being said, after a meeting with the International Admissions Advisor - Amy, I was told I'm an excellent candidate for scholarships as I'm a non-traditional student (being 28 has it's advantages - woo!) who is applying from overseas and chose a university in the middle of rural Idaho to study (honestly - there's a larger deer population than people).
Because of the drive I have to move forward and with how much I am putting on the line to study there, I'm in an advantageous position to secure funding.
What are you looking forward to the most?
Getting to live, study and eventually work in one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. Coeur d'Alene is a resort town on the shores of a HUGE freshwater lake. It is the complete opposite to Sheffield and I fell in love with it as soon as I arrived. I'm also looking forward to actually taking steps towards my future and fulfilling a dream I long thought would never happen. The dream may have altered slightly, but my passion to do so is the highest it's ever been.
What do you hope to be doing in 5 years time?
I'm hoping to be teaching Biology at a High School either in Coeur d'Alene or Spokane, Washington while studying for my Masters degree in Neuroscience/Psychology. Having been diagnosed with PTSD in 2014, I want to be in position, with my education and knowledge, to be able to make advancements in the treatment of the illness and find a cure for it. Also, on a personal level, I hope to be married to the man I love and be set up to continue succeeding in life.
Thank you for sharing your story Steph, and we wish you all the best for the future!
Student Amaan Saqlain elected to the UK Youth Parliament for Rotherham
Amaan, a Business student at The Sheffield College, has recently been elected to a second term as a Member of the UK Youth Parliament for Rotherham. Here's what he had to say about this exciting achievement...
Why were you interested in becoming a Senior Youth MP?
I first stood for election and served my first term as Youth MP in 2018 to voice the views of my peers and make sure that the youth of this generation have a voice in matters that will affect our lives more than any other generation. We are the future, we should have a say to create the future that we want. Nobody has the right to decide what our lives will be like.
What was the process of being elected like, and what work does the role involve?
To become a member of youth parliament you have to be elected by other young people in an official UKYP election. Elections take place in schools and other young people’s organisations. Elections are anonymous and based on the information contained within the manifestos rather than the individual. Each candidate will be allocated a letter and young people will vote for the candidate based on the information they provide and the issues they feel are the most important. Young people will vote by placing a cross in the box alongside the candidate they feel would represent them the best. In addition to sitting on boards, writing to ministers and civil servants among some duties which are taken on to ensure the representation of young people, members meet regularly to hold debates and plan campaigns at least three times a year locally, and twice on a national level, which includes the annual debate within the Chamber of the House of Commons every November.
What are some issues or causes that you feel passionately about?
My manifesto which will be officially published on my website and social media later this month including free public transport, a less strenuous curriculum and investment in young people's mental health as my top priorities for this term which will be my final tenure in office.
What do you hope to be doing in 5 or 10 years time?
I intend to stay steadfast in the representation of the public both nationally and internationally as I have done during the past 4 years in addition to my education, I hope to get involved in more humanitarian work to help civilians who are being caught in the crossfire of diplomatic conflict.
Follow Amaan on Twitter @Amaan_Saqlainn to keep up to date with everything he is doing as a Member of UK Youth Parliament!
College's 'UP Fest' for National Careers Week
Monday 7th March to Friday 11th March saw the return of UP Festival in college for National Careers Week.
Nearly 800 students took part in careers events over the week with a wide range of inspirational speakers, employers and universities visiting the college.
The headline event on Tuesday 8th this year was a Jobs Fair. We saw nearly 500 students through the doors of the City Campus Sports Hall visiting 30 stalls with local and national employers, training providers, charities and support organisations and much more!
Feedback was fantastic:
Mark Farnsworth, from the Showroom Workstation, said, “how great the students who attended the job fair today were, they were enthusiastic, attentive, polite and professional. A real credit to the college.”
Already we’ve heard a Health and Social Care student who attended the Jobs Fair has started a new job with Gulliver’s Valley theme park. He has been trying to get a part time job for over 18 months now and he had his first shift on Sunday and said he, “absolutely loved it!”
If you need any help finding a part time job, creating a CV or practicing those crucial interview skills contact the Careers Team for advice...
Page updated
Report abuse