Help Mariam become a future surgeon.

Here is a link to a new article covered by MyLondon news about my story. 


https://www.mylondon.news/news/east-london-news/its-giving-sleepless-nights-aspiring-21348782#comments-wrapper 

 

 

 

Can you help me take up my place at medical school in September 2021?

 

My name is Mariam Ajibola (MazDMedic) and my ambition is to become a surgeon.

Thank you for reading my crowdfunding page.

I am 24, and I live in Newham, East London, with my mum and younger brother. I was thrilled earlier this year to be offered a place to study medicine at Plymouth University (starting in September 2021). I hope to become the first doctor in my family.

I want to become a doctor because it combines the two things I love the most, science and care, in an amazingly rewarding career. I am choosing to study this six-year course because it gives people like me, who have had their education disrupted, the chance to restart their ambitions. You can find out more about this amazing course here .

SO WHY DO I NEED YOUR HELP?

After the excitement of being accepted at med school, it came as a huge blow to find out I am not eligible for a student loan, because I was not born in the UK. Despite this setback, I am determined to start my medical studies as planned, and not to give up on my dream of becoming a doctor.

After thinking everything through, I have decided to fund my own way through my studies - which is why I am asking for your help.

I have been able to build up significant savings from my wages as a healthcare assistant, enough to cover my first year's tuition fees of £9,250, and I will be applying for scholarships to cover the remaining five years. I also plan to do as much paid work as I possibly can in all my university holidays. However, I still need to raise an additional £30,000 to cover my living expenses for the six years of my medical studies (including a foundation year).

Can you help by making a donation and/or sharing my page with your friends and family?

About me

I was born in Nigeria and came to the UK as a teenager in 2012 to join the rest of my family, after my grandmother who was caring for me died.

My mum is a nursing assistant, and I think that is where I get my interest in medicine and caring for people. Since January 2021, I have worked at my local hospital helping to look after patients on the surgical ward, which I love. I am learning so many things which will help me in my future career - and seeing first hand how a surgeon's skills can transform people's lives. I cannot wait to start my own medical training.

When I first arrived in the UK, I missed my grandmother, but was very happy to be back with my mum and brother (who are both British citizens). I gradually settled into my new life and made really good friends at school, who were ambitious like me. I worked hard and did well in my GCSEs and A-levels. Maths and science are my favourite subjects.

I did face some challenges, though. It took five, exhausting, years of making repeated applications to the Home Office before I was finally granted 'leave to remain' in the UK. That delay really limited the things I could do when I left college after my A-levels: for five years, I was not able to work or study. It was a difficult time, but I kept myself as busy and motivated as I could - doing volunteering, joining the We Belong campaign and becoming a trustee of this charity which supports young migrants, getting involved in activities at my church. When my immigration status was at last granted in October 2020, I was determined to make up for lost time. I applied to become a healthcare assistant literally the day my Home Office biometric card arrived, and had already submitted my application to medical schools.

When I was offered a place at Plymouth starting September 2021, I thought my life was back on track. To then find out I am not allowed a student loan because of my immigration status, was heartbreaking - but I am determined not to give up.

I know with your support, I can still follow my dream of becoming a surgeon.

EDUCATION

• I was born in Nigeria and moved to the UK at age 15.
• I then attended a one year intensive GCSE course at Newham college for further education, achieving two As, and three Bs.
• I then attended Newham sixth form college where I did my A-levels achieving One A*, one A and 2 Bs.

WHERE WILL YOUR MONEY GO?

Tuition fees - £9250 (£55,500 for the whole course, will be covered by my paid wages and future successful scholarship applications).

Accommodation - £5330 (average weekly rent for single room - £130 – multiplied by the 41 week minimum contract length). I will have to leave my family home and move to Plymouth during academic terms.

Living expenses (food, travel and course materials) - £3200 (roughly £80 pw for the 41 week period)

This comes up to approximately £51,000 for the whole 6 year course.

I will be working when I can (as much as an intensive course like medicine permits) and receiving as much support as they can give me from my mother and immediate family. Very excitingly, my mother is now also a student: she is currently at university studying to become a nurse. I am so proud of her!

£30,000 is the amount I’m hoping to raise with your support.

REWARDS!!!

The main reward is you will be helping to create a future surgeon, who will spend her career helping people in our wonderful NHS. I have also come up with other rewards to show my appreciation for your support, which I hope you will like. I have created a youtube channel called Mazdmedic where I will be uploading videos to keep my supporters up to date on my medical school journey and how your money is being spent. I will also be creating advice videos to help other aspiring students from non-traditional backgrounds to get into medical school.

I know there are many other determined, academically-able young adults in my situation (explained in full detail here ) who are being prevented from realising their ambitions and contributing fully to society. I want to bring everyone with me through my journey and inspire other young migrants to keep fighting for their dreams.

ALL donations, whatever you are comfortable with, will be GREATLY appreciated.

Thank you in advance to anyone willing to support me: I will be extremely grateful.

STAY GLUED to this page for updates and FOLLOW @mazdmedic on all socials to stay up-to-date with my crowdfunding campaign.

“An investment in Knowledge pays the best interest” - Benjamin Franklin

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