s-1
| I arrived in the UK with my family at the start of the millennia, age 5 and speaking very little English. |
s-2
| During the next 6 years, we lived in 7 different addresses and I attended 6 separate primary schools. |
s-3
| Starting secondary school in 2005, a special music comprehensive placed in special measures by Ofsted, only 36% of students achieved at least 5 A*-C GCSEs that year, with classes sometimes having upward of 30 students. |
s-4
| The constant transition that characterised my experience of the UK state education system continued: frequent changes of governance and changes to the curriculum seemed ineffectual to improving terrible standards. |
s-5
| In short, it wasn't the best environment for learning. |
s-6
| Despite this, I gained a well-rounded education and had opportunities to push myself academically, culturally and socially; for instance, a mentoring scheme during my GCSEs which broadened my very limited horizons. |
s-7
| Starting my A-levels in 2010 was a transformation - I took up debating, read widely, attended educational events, researched university choices and decided to apply to Oxford for PPE. |
s-8
| Before my A-levels, I had no idea what PPE was and knew little to nothing about Oxford. |
s-9
| Preparing for applications and interviews with the sixth-form team, I was subsequently offered a place. |
s-10
| At university I have been fortunate to study a fantastic course, meet incredibly intelligent people and experience new things - studying broadly, travelling widely and gaining extensive professional experiences such as a placement in Beijing and an IBD summer internship with Goldman Sachs. |
s-11
| At Oxford, most of all, I have had the freedom to think. |
s-12
| Given my father had to leave home in rural Ethiopia to gain an education, I see studying in the UK as a right that I am privileged to have. |
s-13
| Immigrants have dreams and many are successful, don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. |