Julia took part in the Sutton Trust US Programme in 2021 and is now studying in the US in New York. Read on to find out more.

Tell us a bit about your background.

“I was born in Poland and moved to England at a young age, where I grew up in a small town in Lancashire.

I was an ambitious teenager so had always considered university, but when I got to sixth form, I realised that I didn’t really know what I wanted to do! I’d never even imagined the possibility of studying in the US as it seemed so far out of reach and just something I could watch in movies.”

What made you apply for your Sutton Trust programme?

“I first heard about the US programme through another programme alum, which I think is a testament to the alumni network and the kindness of the community – this person guided me through the process and was an incredible mentor throughout. I try to pass this on myself now as an alum through mentoring for the programme and being a Team Leader on some of the programme residentials.”

How did taking part in a Sutton Trust programme impact you?

“The programme has flipped the trajectory of my life – from one small town in Poland to another in England, I did not know of the world of opportunity out there. The Sutton Trust has helped me build a network of people just like me, and achieve goals that I did not know I even had!

My confidence in myself and where I come from was built up a lot – being in a cohort of students from similar backgrounds who are big achievers and motivating each other was invaluable and something I did not have in my immediate networks. This also helped with my public speaking and eloquence, as I learned how to articulate my thoughts and feelings when speaking to new people.”

What was the highlight of your Sutton Trust programme?

“Learning about the US education system really opened my eyes to a world of possibilities and opportunities that I had not even thought about. I particularly really enjoyed the US week where we were able to tour US colleges and get a feel for them. I loved it so much that I came back to be a Team Leader on these trips for 2 years!”

What are you doing now?

“I am currently a Junior (a third-year undergraduate student) at the University of Rochester in New York. I am majoring in Economics and hoping to break into corporate finance after graduation.

I usually have about 2-3 classes per day. Thanks to the flexibility of the US curriculum I’ve also been able to explore so many interests outside of my major – I’ve taken classes in film, history, Spanish, psychology, and I’m planning to begin Mandarin next year! I am really glad I was able to come and study in the US, as within my first year I changed my major (my degree) from Biochemistry to Economics – something that I couldn’t do in the UK very easily. I also work at my campus Language Center as a Programme Assistant and Polish Tutor.

Although I didn’t initially consider the US as a university choice, I think it lines up exactly with what I really wanted out of my academic journey. I have found the most amazing community here, many being international students who I can share my highs and lows with. In the evenings, I will often head to the library to finish off homework or study for midterms. I also spend a lot of time with my sorority, whether that be movie nights, study sessions, philanthropy events, or just hanging out! There are so many different things happening on campus each week, and so many opportunities to get involved with – I stay busy!”

What would you say to someone thinking about applying to a Sutton Trust programme?

“Take the leap of faith! When I applied, I had no expectations of being accepted, but the Sutton Trust took a chance on me and their confidence in me translated to confidence in myself. You are capable of so much more than you know.”

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