Hi, my name's Kate. I'm 21 and have just started my final year at university. I'm studying Human Rights, Social Policy and Administration. |
I was 16 when I went into care; I stayed in care until I was 18 when I moved into independent living.
I was taken into foster care because I had just moved to London from Angola, in Africa. I had moved here to live with someone who social services had to investigate. They became worried about my safety and took me into care for my own protection.
When I came to the UK I spoke no English and had no qualifications that would be recognised by universities here. Five years later I'm at university, gettting ready to graduate.
For many people in Africa, university is a big thing. Although in my family no had ever been, it was always seen as a great goal. The idea of university was always at the back of my mind and it was always something that I thought I would go for if I had the chance.
Once I arrived in the UK I tried really hard to get an education and qualifications. Things worked out and I was able to get the education I needed to learn English. From that things just flew. Before I knew it I was faced with the choice of doing GCSEs combined with A-Levels.
I was placed with my foster carer in February. By September I had started my Business & IT Intermediate vocational A-Level. The following year I did Business and IT Advanced Year 1 and Year 2. Alongside that I also did GCSE English and maths.
Full support?
While I was thinking about going to unviversity, I received a lot of help and support from Independent Living Scheme in Wandsworth, where I lived.
They were very helpful, as were the college, but quite a bit of work needs to be done by you. Once they can see where you want to go then they can help you get there.
I think there is support in place for those people in care who are confident and determined about their education. It's easier for the workers to support those kids who have drive and are already doing well. I'm not so sure about people who are failing but stil have the potential. While I was in care I knew so many fascinating and talented people who could have easily gone to university. For whatever reasons, whatever things are in their life at the time, education isn't always the most important thing. It gets less attention because these people have to sort out the bigger, more urgent issues.
Go, go, go!
I think university is a great thing. Not just for the career opportunities but mainly for the things that you go through while you are there. By going to university, you meet so many new people who all come from different backgrounds., different places and have different experiences. The issues that you get to deal with, learning to work in a group, giving presentations, all those things that will help you a lot in later life.
I'm studying Human Rights, Social Policy and Administration and I would like to go into something related to the UN, Amnesty International, charity work or the Home Office. I would also like to study further and do a master's degree.
Deciding to go to university is a big commitment both in terms of time and effort as well as financially. But it's still a price I'm happy to pay.
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