Cindy’s Story

“IntoUniversity was the first place I came to, even before starting school. I didn’t know anyone, and I couldn’t communicate with people. The staff were so patient – they helped me every step of the way, from learning the language to applying for schools.”

After an IntoUniversity Govan visit to the local Primary school where Cindy’s younger siblings were enrolled, Cindy’s mum picked up an Academic Support flyer, sensing that this would be a good place for Cindy to come after moving from Italy. 

Walking into the Govan centre for the first time, Cindy was struck by the diversity. “The first thing I noticed was how… there were so many people from different backgrounds, different levels in education, all coming together, receiving assistance”. Cindy reflected on the contrast between this learning environment and what she had been used to in Italy.

For her first few months in Scotland, Cindy was out of school and learning to navigate the Scottish education system and English language. At Academic Support, the staff supported her in applying for schools, undertaking exams and how to blend into living in Glasgow. Cindy describes herself then as “shy and quiet,” but Academic Support gave her structure, encouragement and, most importantly, belief. “I made my first friends in the UK at IntoUniversity,” she says. “They helped me build confidence and become more open.”

Her ambition to study Medicine had always been there, but learning through a new language made it feel distant. Staff at the centre helped her explore what a career in healthcare could look like and connected her with opportunities through IntoUniversity’s partnerships with the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh.

A pivotal moment came during a week-long healthcare programme in 2022. “We had a neurosurgeon visit the centre, and hearing them speak made something change within me. I knew after that that surgery was the space I wanted to be in.”

A significant part of her journey involved mentoring. Cindy was paired with Niamh, a university student mentor from the University of Glasgow during her final years of school. “Mentoring has been an essential part of my journey. Being paired with someone already studying medicine gave me guidance, reassurance, and a real support system. My mentor helped me navigate applications, choose universities, and stay calm when everything felt overwhelming.”

Alongside her interest in Medicine, Cindy also explored other industries through workshops in Law, Engineering, Banking, Psychology and Technology and even took part in our Big City Bright Future programme. “IntoUniversity brings in so many different role models. You meet people you can relate to and learn about careers you didn’t even know existed.”

Cindy now hopes to support younger students who are new to English, just as she once was. As she looks ahead to university, she feels proud of how far she has come and grateful for the guidance she received along the way. Reflecting on the past four years, Cindy says she “felt supported every step of the way” by IntoUniversity and is excited to begin her degree and take her first steps toward a career in Medicine.