At my secondary school, INS Fort i Pius in Barcelona, I was told that universities offer this type of financial aid to young people to continue their studies after secondary school, and I decided to apply. I wasn’t sure if they would give it to me, because there were a lot of requirements I didn’t think I could meet, since I didn’t live at home. When I got it, I was very happy, because I didn’t expect it at all. 

“When I got it, I was very happy, because I didn’t expect it at all”

At exam time, I feel a lot of pressure, because I have to pass everything, no matter what, to keep the grant, but I also have the satisfaction of saying, ‘I’m doing well’. Just because of who I am, it’s essential for me to pass everything; but I also have the double pressure of the grant, although for now I’m handling it very well. For me, it is an opportunity, because not everyone gets one, and it facilitates things for me. I know I have to do the best I can, and I am very thankful for it, since thanks to this money I can live in Barcelona, in a shared flat.

“At exam time, I feel a lot of pressure, because I have to pass everything”

After leaving home, I lived at a children’s shelter and then at a residential education centre (CRAE), for a period of almost three years. Initially they told me the Catalan government could only give me financial aid for six months and that then I could apply for a grant from La Caixa. I was very unsure and scared, because I didn’t know if applying for the La Caixa grant was compatible with the salary grant or whether I would be able to enrol at university. In the end, everything worked out; I was able to combine them, since I only receive the La Caixa grant in summer, when I’m not receiving financial aid from UPF. 

I really liked economics, because I had done the social sciences track in secondary school; but I wasn’t sure I wanted to study business administration and management or economics, which is what most students who choose that track do. Then I looked into the degree in Labour Relations. I like economics, especially everything that has to do with the world of labour, but I also like working with people. So that’s why I chose Labour Relations, because for me it combines those two areas well.

“I like economics, especially everything that has to do with the world of labour”

I chose UPF because I went to the information sessions, the open sessions, and I liked it a lot. I had already been to the sessions at the University of Barcelona and the Autonomous University of Barcelona, but I wasn’t convinced. And since I already knew the campus (when I was in secondary school, I would often go to the UPF Library after school to study), I decided I wanted to come here. The fact that I could get a salary grant strengthened that decision.

“ I went to the information sessions and I liked it a lot”

I work at an accessories and bag shop at the Estació de Sants train station, usually from Friday to Sunday. I live in Les Corts, so it’s quite near. The first term, I didn’t work, because I wanted to focus 100% on my studies; I was new to the university and I wanted to take things easy. I did very well. But I felt like I needed something more, because I’m a very active person. I do a lot of things, and just studying wasn’t enough for me. I noticed I wasn’t taking advantage of all the time I had. So the second term I looked for this job, which is compatible with my studies and where I can work part-time, which works well for me, in order to earn some money and have some savings. 

“I can work part-time in order to earn some money and have some savings”

My plan is to do a paid internship in the third year of my programme. In the fourth, I would really like to study abroad with the Erasmus programme: ever since I was little, I wanted to go to university, study abroad, and then do a master’s, maybe in International Relations, or supplement my degree in Labour Relations with a law degree. I’m still deciding; I think that by the third year I’ll have a better idea. I would also like to study languages; I think it would be good for me. 

 “In the fourth, I would really like to study abroad with the Erasmus programme”

I would love to be a labour lawyer, because there are injustices that make me very angry: inequalities between women and men, or by nationality; when people over the age of 55 are told they’re no longer useful; or young people, who are told we need to have experience to work, only we can’t get that if we don’t work, so then nothing makes any sense. I’m working and studying at the same time, because I think both professional experience and academic training are important. That’s why I’m doing both, because you need to cover both areas. If I graduate and have nothing, it would be a shock for me. 

“I would love to be a labour lawyer, because there are injustices that make me very angry: inequalities between women and men, or by nationality”

In Barcelona a lot of kids have difficulties. I think there should be more financial aid for people who are qualified to go to university and could go far, but aren’t able to do it because of the constraints and limits they face. A lot of young people don’t want to go to university and choose vocational training or decide to finish compulsory secondary school (ESO) and then look for work instead. But many others would like to study but can’t, whether because of their family environment, as in my case, or, especially, because they don’t have the money. 

“I think there should be more financial aid for people who are qualified to go to university”

Ever since I was little, I was always told to study; but then there’s the issue of Islamic culture: women get married and that’s it. In contrast, men in my country, Bangladesh, are more highly valued professionally. I think the most important thing is to have a good family environment, because if you don’t have that support, you’re going to be very insecure. My parents wanted me to get married at 16 and then have a child. 

“the most important thing is to have a good family environment, because if you don’t have that support, you’re going to be very insecure”

I left home when I was 15 and they have not accepted it. I don’t bear them any ill will, because I understand that it is their culture. In fact, that’s how they were brought up and that’s how they got married. But I wanted something different for myself, and I fought for that. It’s been three years since I left home now, and I am very pleased with everything I’ve been able to achieve. I haven’t ended up on the streets or addicted to drugs. I’m a very ambitious person. I may not be the kind of student who gets perfect 10s, but I’m happy with a 7. 

“It’s been three years since I left home now, and I am very pleased with everything I’ve been able to achieve”

If you want to get somewhere, you have to fight hard for it. The path definitely isn’t easy, and a lot of times people will tell you that it can’t be done. Others will tell you to keep at it. But you can’t be afraid. You can’t give up. You have to keep going. Never say it can’t be done. You need to understand that there are a lot of available resources. Before I enrolled at university and left home, I didn’t know these grants existed or that there are people who will help you and listen to you. 

“If you want to get somewhere, you have to fight hard for it”

There really is a need for more information. Sometimes, information for young people is too simple. Other times, it’s young people ourselves who fail to communicate exactly what we want, and that’s a problem. It’s not my case. I always knew what I wanted and why I wanted it, and it wasn’t that hard for me. It was harder for me to look for resources, but I am very happy with where I am now. If you want to study, if that’s what you want, you will be able to do it. If you really try, you can do anything. 

“I am very happy with where I am now”

In my fourth year of compulsory secondary school (ESO), I was at a semi-private school. Some of the teachers told me not to go on to upper secondary school, that I would be better off doing vocational training. At that point, I was living at a children’s shelter, and almost everyone there was studying at the same school, where it was easier to pass than at other schools. But I insisted I wanted a higher level of education, to do more things, because I knew I wanted to go to university. After, when I was in upper secondary school, the first year was a little difficult for me, because there were subjects my classmates had done that I hadn’t. But I adapted very quickly. The second year was harder, because there was the research paper, the pressure of the university entrance exam... Everything happened very quickly, but I think it was no harder for me than for everyone else. 

I think so. Based on things people say. You see boys who think they’re superior, and a lot of girls who think those boys are better than they are. ‘He’s the man!’ they’ll say. I don’t understand how you can think that way as a woman. You are neither less nor more; you are equal! Plus, a lot of times men say women are inferior and that really makes me angry. I just can’t! There are some people who are so ignorant when it comes to seeing this, who can say things that are so wrong. I can’t stand it. 

“Sometimes men say women are inferior and that really makes me angry”

I know a lot of people who are 18 or 20 years old who work like slaves to get paid at the end of the month. They have no life, because they work split shifts from Monday to Sunday, like in the old days. In the 21st century, that strikes me as criminal. They don’t speak out. The people have been paid off, and nothing ever happens, and that really pains me. I feel powerless in the face of situations like that, and they’re everywhere. But I also understand that the government has allowed it. 

Even if you’re doing an internship, you’re at a company and you’re doing real work. If you’re there, they don’t hire anyone else to do it. As soon as one intern finishes, another one begins. So they save money. If you’re doing an internship, you should receive some sort of compensation. Maybe not as much as someone on staff, but something commensurate with the work you’re doing. 

“If you’re doing an internship, you should receive some sort of compensation”