By Donika Klenja
I was born and raised in a small neighbourhood in Diber, North Macedonia, where people would say that life doesn’t always happen as in our dreams. Nevertheless, I was confident that there was always a way to achieve what I truly wanted and so I followed my dream.
As a little girl, passionate about science and medicine, I wanted to discover the undiscovered and leave a trace in the world. At 11 years old, I lost my beloved grandmother to pancreatic cancer. Given how close I was to her, it highlighted the importance of the art of medicine and instilled in me a strong desire to follow this field and contribute towards the cure of what I had just learned to be incurable.
Knowing that Macedonia didn’t have many opportunities in medicine and research, I aimed to pursue my higher education abroad. The UK was my dream considering its global medical research excellence and the various career opportunities in science and healthcare. However, I knew that such dreams would never work unless I did, so I began researching the different paths to get there.
Preparing to apply to UK universities
When I was 15, I earned a 4-year scholarship to study in a private high school in Macedonia. The students in this school were taught science subjects in English and were well-guided if interested in studying abroad. So, I moved to a different city to pursue my high school education and worked hard to develop my skills, improving my English and doing extracurricular activities. The latter not only shaped my interests but also had a positive influence on my personality and knowledge. I was involved in national and international mathematics and scientific project competitions, leading a humanitarian club, writing English articles for the press club, playing sports, and similar. Simultaneously, these activities enriched my personal statement for UCAS when applying to UK universities.
Nevertheless, this should not mean that enrolling in a private high school is the only way to become an applicant for UK undergraduate studies. As long as you have the required English skills, gain relevant experience/skills to the programme you want to study, and become well informed about the procedures you need to follow when applying, you can achieve this too. This is something that the ALSA international team can help you with.
Applying to UK universities
Early during my final year at high school, I intensively searched for UK universities, their list of courses, and their requirements until I made my five final choices. It is also essential to research the career opportunities you can have after completing those courses, talk to people doing the same course/job and get as much information to ensure that what you are applying for is what you want to do.
One course requirement for international students is the English exam (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS), the admission score varies between universities and the different courses. The required A-level/GCSE equivalent qualifications must be considered well ahead of the application deadline. For example, in North Macedonia, take the required subject choices for your university course, before you take the final high school state exams (Drzavna Matura exams).
UCAS is a straightforward application platform in which you must write a personal statement that represents your knowledge and capability for the selected programme. It is important to dedicate a considerable amount of time to it, frequently review and edit rather than completing it in one go. Furthermore, when describing a particular experience, it is crucial to try to explain what you benefited from it, what skills you have gained, and how they relate to the programme that you have chosen. Even irrelevant experiences can provide you with relevant skills, so be creative 😊!
Finally, as with every application, try to submit it in advance to avoid any time pressure which may affect the application quality. You should then expect to shortly receive offers.
Transition to the UK and obstacles of an international student in the UK
After accepting and meeting the conditions of my offer to study BSc Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Bristol three years ago, I left my country and my family with teary eyes and moved to the UK to follow my dreams after having received the scholarship to fund my studies.
Applying for a student visa was not a pleasant process, but the university immigration office should help with any application enquiries that you have. One important document to prepare in advance is valid financial proof for your studies. This can be a bank statement or official sponsorship letter for both tuition and maintenance fees, which is one of the main criteria during the visa decision-making process.
Going into an independent life alone in a new country can be terrifying. You’re facing a completely different education system, culture, and lifestyle, which requires a lot of courage to adjust to in the beginning. Getting used to the completely different grading system here was a struggle on its own and homesickness was constantly present in the first few weeks. Simultaneously, studying a challenging course that required lots of commitment and time management skills added more emotional weight. There were many self-doubts, anxiety, all-nighters and countless coffee runs, as well as a pandemic, experienced away from family.
Nevertheless, I embraced this and reminded myself how far I had come and where I was heading to. I knew that behind every successful woman was the story of how she never gave up on herself, no matter the difficult and unfair moments she faced.
Making new friends, joining societies, and volunteering helped me adjust more quickly and maintain a balance between university workload and social life. I also secured a part-time job where I worked as Student Advocate and Peer Assisted Study Session Leader helping other students who experienced difficulties with their study skills or learning material. This job did not only help me financially, but it also enriched me with transferable skills.
Where am I now?
I am humbled to have graduated this summer with a First-Class Honours degree in Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Bristol, receiving top awards in 1st and 2nd year, and the Lucy Brown Cancer Prize as a top final year student pursuing postgraduate cancer studies. Unbelievably, I reached my dream to have my first scientific publication before I started my third year and to get a Masters offer in Paediatric Oncology at the University of Oxford with a research grant from Down Syndrome Research Foundation UK (DSRFUK).
I am also fortunate enough to be selected as one of 7 students out of many worldwide applicants studying a Doctoral Training Programme in Precision Cancer Medicine at the University of Dundee. This programme involves training in cancer research and is supervised by a cancer researcher and a medical oncologist. This work is also very close to my heart as I am putting considerable focus on pancreatic cancer, to which I lost a very special person.
Studying abroad is not only about getting a prestigious degree and a quality education, but it is about overcoming your limits and achieving more than you expected. It was hard to believe that one day I would become an independent woman building a medical/scientific career, but I have learned that dreams really do come true if you maintain the passion and courage to pursue them. So, if you were born lucky enough to dream, then never be afraid to chase them, and when you stop limiting yourself, the reality might actually turn out even better!
Click here for a PDF of useful links and resources I found helpful on my journey!
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