For the latest edition of our journal of outstanding Scholars Programme student essays, The Scholar, we featured a wonderful guest article written by Brilliant Club Ambassador, Emily Yanchuk. Emily completed The Scholars Programme multiple times while at school and is now studying Dual LLB / Juris Doctor (JD) with the Chinese University of Hong Kong at the University of Exeter. In this guest article, Emily offers her reflections on education, and growth, inspired by her learning about Mary Wollstonecraft.
I am currently in my fourth year at university, studying a module on Law, Politics and Power focused on classical liberalism. A key contributor to this theory is 18th century writer and philosopher, Mary Wollstonecraft. Although this article is not about her or the political theory itself, she highlights an important message about the profound impact education can have on one’s life. She argued that women should have equal access to education, as this would enable them to express their capacity for reason and thought. She challenged the prevailing view of her time, which held that society depended solely on men, insisting that women’s intellectual contributions were equally significant. Wollstonecraft’s ideas remind us that education can reveal the potential within individuals, and once that potential is recognised, it can transform the course of our lives.
From a young age, education was always important to me. Neither of my parents attended university, but they knew how life-changing it could be. Even though it can be argued that a university degree is losing its value and that there are other routes, such as apprenticeships, that can lead to success, I still view university as an opportunity worth discussing.
I enjoy the process of learning and have always viewed it as a privilege, especially as there are many children, specifically girls, who do not have this chance. I always felt a sense of responsibility not to let this opportunity slip away. I have always been academic, from my GCSEs to my A-levels, and now I am studying Law. This has not been and is still not an easy journey. As with anything, there are ups and downs. However, I have thoroughly enjoyed my university experience. Even though the degree can be challenging, it is what I signed up for. I wanted to learn complex things and have the chance to challenge my own ideas. Yet, I have also gained more from this degree than I could have imagined. Not only have I made my mother proud by getting into university, travelling to Hong Kong for my year abroad, and immersing myself in an incredible new culture, but I have also made myself proud. Today’s society emphasises hustle culture and the constant pursuit of more, but I feel it is important to look back, remember where you started, remind yourself of your motivations, and take a moment to appreciate all the hard work you have put in.
I want to especially dedicate a thank you to my mother, who instilled in me the importance of resilience. She came from Ukraine to give me a better life. Those with immigrant parents often feel a sense of responsibility to make them proud and express immense gratitude for the sacrifices they have made. All her hard work has shaped me into the woman I am today.
Interestingly, I really did not enjoy my first week of university. I struggled to click with people; I missed home and was worried that I had made the wrong choice. Even though university is not for everyone, if you decide to take this route, give yourself time to adjust and see what this new chapter of your life has to offer. Going to university has been one of the best decisions I could have made, not only for my future but also for my personal growth. Since my first year, I have learned more about myself and what I want out of life. I have met incredible people and learned more about my abilities and what I am capable of. For instance, having the chance to travel to Hong Kong and meet incredible world-renowned professors was a fantastic opportunity I would not have had if I had not applied to university.
As a former participant of The Brilliant Club (where I took part in The Scholars Programme four times), I want to thank the organisation for allowing me to gain insight into university life, for believing in me, and for helping me reach where I am now. Participating in the sessions and discussions, and having the opportunity for a formal graduation, helped me navigate what I want to do. University is more than just gaining knowledge and completing assignments in a subject you are interested in; it is a chance to discover who you are and have further opportunities that could be life changing. If you are unsure about it or have not considered it because you are worried about ‘not fitting in,’ there is a place for everybody. Do not be afraid to give it a go, because it could help change the trajectory of your whole life. It did for me.
Emily Yanchuk
Brilliant Club Ambassador, Law Student studying Dual LLB/Juris Doctor at the University of Exeter and the Chinese University of Hong Kong
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