Re: A partially sighted student from Pakistan…
**Muzzamil Lakhani - MSci Physics with Astrophysics **
**British Council International Student Awards 2005 - Gold Winner **
"Dear Mrs Khan,
It’s been a while since we last spoke. Hope you are well and still inspiring others. Surely you have a magic touch – you are the only person who could successfully teach me English and a source of guidance. You must be very proud of me, going to a University like Bristol, to do a Physics degree. I’ll try to fulfil all of your expectations in due course.
Born visually impaired, I was fortunate to have supportive parents and yourself to propel me in life. Everyone told me not to go abroad, discouraged me and told me to give up. So for the past 19 months, I’ve relentlessly strived to prove them all wrong, by following my heart and using my head. You know I had been severely handicapped in Pakistan, unable to even walk to my street corner unescorted. Friends were only a handful. Academic success often came with stress and let downs, and all choices in life were extremely limited. Feeling segregated was second nature to me. My future seemed bleak and doomed. All my life I was trained to feel I’d remain uneducated, unsociable, unemployed, unwanted. Who knew things would change so radically?
With so many odds against me, including the brief closure of the British High Commission due to the Afghan war, no relatives in the UK and so many doubters, my life took a U-turn the day I entered Britain. I am studying for a degree that a lot of Pakistanis don’t pursue and is also hard for partly sighted people. Nevertheless, the University has been phenomenal in helping me, and the city of Bristol has literally stolen my heart.
Coming here, having never lived or even walked outdoors alone, my parents worried beyond belief. The change of culture and a major university all seemed daunting at first. Yet I was determined to succeed, just to prove a point to myself and others. I received a bursary from the Physics Department and all my access needs were funded by the Access Unit at Bristol University – something unimaginable for me. A sighted guide escorted me for a month, during which time I received training on how to use the long cane and walk independently at will.
Within a month, I could walk between my place and the University’s various buildings, to the bank, the shops and cafes. The change in me was evident already. Continuing with cane training, I also joined a choir and started learning the piano. I joined a social club and the Institute of Physics. My social life was blossoming, my confidence growing, aspirations rising, and my drive sky-rocketing.
By Christmas, I had learned how to use the kitchen, do my shopping, ask for assistance at the University and elsewhere, talk to strangers confidently and go out alone at night – things I considered impossible not long ago. I was finally growing up. By my 21st birthday, I had made more friends in Bristol than in 20 years in Pakistan combined. I appeared on the BBC Commonwealth radio, met the University’s Vice Chancellor, shared a drink with the Lord Mayor, joined the partially sighted football and cricket teams, acquired many disability benefits, had a credit card, membership of the Chocolate Society, a published magazine article and a good academic standing too.
By Easter, I was able to walk six miles. By May I had become popular, ‘cool’ and trendy. I got a First at the end of Year 1 and the Dean’s Commendation for my outstanding performance. I stood second in my lab group. Throughout the year, I acquired note takers, a computer with text enlarging software, books in alternative formats, all funded by the University. I had lived the best year of my life.
In July I got my first ever job at an English Language summer school in Oxford. During my summer break I went gliding, started yoga, did a tandem skydive from 13,000 ft in aid of a charity, dressed in drag to perform on stage, joined a gym, was awarded a grant from Lord Snowdon, and even walked a distance of 15 miles between Bristol and north Somerset without any assistance. I did a Counselling Skills course, and sorted out most of my computer worries.
I began Year 2 by taking extra units in Maths and a German language evening class. I joined a running club, appeared in a newspaper and was elected choir secretary. I joined the University’s Widening Participation scheme as a student mentor and ambassador. To my greatest joy, I have received an interview letter from Daresbury Lab, to work on a scientific project during Year 3. Life is finally good.
They say home is where the heart is. My heart is firmly in Bristol. I’m proud of this city. God willing, hopefully this is only the beginning. It’s amazing that I have accomplished so much in such short time – it may sound like a fairytale. I’m just glad to be finally living my own life, passing a coaching qualification in weightlifting one day, training for the half marathon the next. And with my English improving daily, I love it more and more.
The list is endless. I just want to make you proud and my parents happy. The world is my oyster and I want to make it home.
Till next time, do take care of yourself.
Regards, Muzzamil”
all award winning letters (pdf)
http://www.educationuk.org/shine/pdf/Final%20Winners%20Brochure.pdf
These letters are full of admiration for the encouragement provided to the sudents from different parts of world, in United Kingdom. The care and heartwarming treatment for international students is commendable :k: