Pauline’s Story

“I came to Edinburgh from Kenya to do a master’s degree in Data, Inequality and Society. My first degree was in journalism.

Coming to Edinburgh has been the happiest experience of my life! I'm quite an outgoing person and I like exploring new places. I like learning more about different people and different cultures, and I like places where there are social activities and gatherings.”

Who, or what, would you say has been the biggest influence on your life?

“My father.  He always gave me the idea that there is more to life than just living in one place, and he introduced me to different people. That made me realise that everyone has different cultures, and that the whole world is not just one small village. When you're growing up you only see similar people, but he helped me to really open up my mind to explore different ideas without being afraid.”

What advice would you give to another international student who may be thinking of leaving home for the first time to go abroad?

“Don’t be afraid. It's a life changing experience you will not forget. Don't be afraid to talk with other people. You'll find that they are as eager to know you as you are to know them. So just reach out and don't be afraid. Get out of your room, try out different events. There are lots of different events around Edinburgh during the first month when students arrive.”

What would you say is the biggest challenge that you have overcome?

“I would say grief. I lost a loved one in 2018. But over the years I became resilient, and it helped me to learn how to let go. It helped me learn you should not take it so seriously, or so much to heart, that it takes you into depression. You must learn to try to catch up as much as possible with the good things that are happening around you in life.

Being connected to my spiritual being really helped me to bounce back. I am Christian Catholic and I believe there is a God who makes things go round. I believe it is God who influences our brains to think, even towards science. I believe it is God first, and not science. Some people talk about luck but, according to my faith, and according to my spirituality, it is God.”

Do you practise your faith on a daily basis?

“Yes, I do. I do meditation. Prayer is a part of that. My meditation leads to prayer and to the reading of spiritual books. You need something to fill you up; that's where the spiritual books come in.

I was surprised how I healed and moved on after my loss. Of course it’s been years now, but it does not really affect me that much because I feel like God did that for me, to show me just how much he loved me. Ever since then he's been giving me gifts and he's been surprising me every day with other good things – more than what I went through. So, he wipes my tears and encourages me to wake up every day and look forward to another surprise that he will give me.”

Was your loss very sudden or the result of a longer illness?

“It was through an illness. It came to a point where I knew it was going to be terminal. It began to strengthen my spirituality then, because when physical strength cannot do anything, and medical knowledge cannot do anything, that's when you are left with just God. And it was just me and God for a long time. And I’m glad, because it strengthened that relationship.”