The Student Success Endowment: Everes

My name is Everes, and I am currently in my third year of studying BA Architecture at Nottingham Trent University. University has been a truly transformative journey for me. I chose NTU because I wanted a balance between a challenging workload and a vibrant social life, and I felt it offered the perfect environment to grow both academically and personally. Looking back, that decision has led to some of the most meaningful experiences of my life. While I’m excited to graduate, I know I will deeply miss the people I’ve met and the memories I’ve made here.

One of the most important parts of my university experience has been building community. Growing up in a very diverse area, I was surprised to feel isolated when I first arrived at university, as I struggled to find other queer people I could relate to. In my second year, I decided to change that by founding the Queer People of Colour Society, a space for ethnic minority LGBTQIA+ students to meet and mingle. Within a year, we grew to over 50 members. Creating this space has been incredibly meaningful, it pushed me out of my comfort zone as a naturally introverted person and helped me develop leadership and networking skills that I will carry forward into my career.

The Student Success Endowment (SSE) funding has played a crucial role in supporting both my studies and personal development. Throughout my degree, it has allowed me to invest in myself in ways that would not have been possible otherwise. In my first year, it helped me fund a gym membership which was essential in supporting my wellbeing after long sessions in the design studio. It also enabled me to purchase industry-standard architectural rendering software that I would not have been able to afford independently.

In my second year, the bursary supported my participation in a summer programme in Spain, where I studied Spanish and achieved an A2 qualification. I was able to use the funding towards my travel costs, making the opportunity accessible to me. Travel is an important form of cultural enrichment in general, but especially for architects as it allows us to experience different environments, materials, and cultural practices that shape our approach to design. I am extremely grateful as, without the bursary, there is no way I would have been able to take part in this experience.

Looking ahead, I plan to continue developing my language skills and aim to complete a B1 Spanish qualification. My long-term goal is to live and work in mainland Europe. As someone already fluent in French, improving my Spanish and gaining international experience has been invaluable in moving me closer to that ambition. I am incredibly grateful to the donors who have made this possible, Your support has had a direct and lasting impact on my university experience, allowing me to grow in ways I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to.

I would wholeheartedly encourage anyone considering donating to do so, the bursary has genuinely changed my life and made my time at university so much richer. I often find myself telling friends how grateful I am for this support, and I truly don’t know how I would have managed without it. Thank you so much for making this opportunity possible.