A Cambridge graduate once told me: if you study your Master's at LSE, either because you are rich or because you want to be rich. I didn't want to pretend this was completely true on me. Life is hard for everyone from different aspects. As an international student, trying to stay in this city and find a proper job with visa sponsorship is never easy. Not because you are not excellent, because this is how things work here. We have got a lot of pressure to deal with.
I know many of us would feel shame to apply for some sponsorships for the gown, exactly as what my mom told me when she learned I wanted to work in a restaurant to support my life in London. What I really appreciate is the way that SU offered this opportunity. I felt respected and supported. And most importantly, the whole communication let me feel here we are not only expected to be top billers or world changers, we are expected to be human, be authentic about ourselves. Sometimes in a very competitive environment, it needs a lot of courage to admit you are not okay and you need support. It doesn't only relate to this gown support fund, but career advice, mental health care and a lot of other things. I am proud that LSE is doing better and better on this, and I am proud SU stills gives me this kind of support when I am about to leave the university.
The Support Fund did not only allow me to take part in graduation, but also to do so without having to stress about it in advance. I could have saved up, but a cost this significant would have made me stressed weeks or even months in advance. Having this support, I am able to celebrate with my colleagues without feeling bad for spending the money on a gown, not food. Thank you!