Let's begin with the fact that I am a British citizen, born in England and lived here for the first 14 years of my life. I am now, at the age of 18, classed as an International student...how can that be right?
I have always wanted to be a journalist, travel the world and have as many experiences as possible. The world promotes travelling, and finding new experiences but what happens when you return to your home country after three and a half years? You are considered an International student, and have to prove you're able to study and work in the country you consider 'home'. In June 2008 for work purposes my family and I moved to New Zealand and I continued my A level studies.
I passed all of my A levels with high grades, and returned to England in Jan 2012 to live with the rest of my family and finish my education at university, which I have always planned to do from a young age. It has now come to my attention, that I may not be able to attend university.
As I haven't been in the UK for the past three years, I am told I have to be classed as an International student. This means that I am unable to get funding for university and my fees have been increased to over 10,000 pounds a year! I cannot pay for this myself and I now have no idea what to do. The university is trying to be helpful, but would, I am sure, prefer to receive the higher income from International students.
I went on to look at jobs with training, but I am also classed as an International, and therefore cannot have courses paid for, unlike any other British Citizen.
