Finances can be a big worry for students like Amy but, thanks to the generosity of alumni like you, she has had the freedom to explore her passions and find her place at Imperial.

I was incredibly excited when I got my place at Imperial to study Earth and Planetary Science. I wanted to study everything from the micro-sized grains under our feet to the macro scale of our entire Universe!

However, when I first came to Imperial, I felt as if I didn’t have my feet firmly under me. Until then, I had been living in Malawi, where my mother was a teacher, and I didn’t yet have a permanent base in the UK. I needed to find accommodation in halls, but I was worried about the cost of living in London and felt guilty that accepting my place at Imperial could cause financial strain for my family.

Receiving the Imperial Bursary gave me a huge sense of relief. By reducing the financial pressure of living in the city, it has enabled me to make the most of my time at university. I can focus on my studies, get involved with societies, and commit all my energy to my modules without having to worry about getting a job in term time. I had been anticipating a rather stressful time at Imperial but now it’s only stressful for all the right reasons!

“I am very grateful that my day-to-day has been made so much easier.”

For me, being able to take full advantage of the Imperial facilities, as well as all that London has to offer, is something that cannot be replicated. I was particularly inspired by the opportunity to spend time looking at Curiosity Rover images at a near-life-like scale in the Data Visualisation Centre, seeing how the skills I had learnt in lectures could be applied to current research and innovation.

The support of the Bursary has also meant I am able to buy the equipment I need to go on field trips, which have been the highlight of my time at Imperial so far. I spent a few intense days analysing the Bristol and Avon Basin and enjoyed the challenge of collaboration and problem-solving with my peers. Through this project, I proved to myself that I am capable of complex analysis, and I am now feeling much more confident about my future work.

“I don’t think I could have had so many amazing experiences without the help of my Bursary, so for that I would like to say thank you for your generosity.”

Now, I am looking forward to what the rest of my degree brings. This summer I am completing a project on statistical analysis of a Martian sedimentary formation. I am incredibly privileged to be part of this, and I hope this is what my future looks like!

Students like Amy are flourishing at Imperial thanks to the kindness of alumni like you. Can you give today to help enable even more students to achieve their full potential?