STEPS on 15th February

Wed, Feb 15th 2023 at 12:50 pm - 2:00 pm

Ellen Colingsworth is making a difference "Step by Step" by bringing a St Andrews Education to Palestine students.

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Guest speakers were Ellen Collingswood and Israa Aljaish who spoke about 'St Andrews Education for Palestinian Students' (STEPS). Ellen is secretary of this non-political charity which was established in 2011 to provide travel, accommodation and maintenance expenses in St Andrews to talented Palestinian Masters students. In addition, the University of St Andrews agreed to waive the tuition fees for two Palestinian students per year. Current holder of one of these awards, Israa explained that Gaza is around 3.7 miles wide and 25 miles long, and that to leave, either permission is needed from Israel or there is an exit via the Egyptian border and then to Cairo. Describing Scotland as ‘Heaven on earth’, she spoke of the challenges and opportunities of being here. Among the challenges -the education system is so different, requiring research and self-motivation rather than memorising of facts; the accent is difficult to understand and the weather is ‘challenging’! Among the opportunities were the chance to study here and to stand as a St Andrews representative on the Scottish Universities International Groups Conference. This is her first time abroad, leaving behind her 4-year old daughter……. though they talk online everyday. Ellen explained that Israa has drive, determination and is very good company, and this helps her academically and in contributing positively to experiencing life in Scotland. What impresses Israa about the Scottish culture? -the respect people show to one-another; the way everyone says thank-you, for example, to the bus driver. What does Israa miss from her home? -her family and the annual festivities, her mother’s cooking. This presentation was warmly received and the vote of thanks was given by Sylvia Donaldson.

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