Induni’s story: Supporting international talent in medicine

Thanks to generous donations from donors, international students like Induni can receive the support that they need to thrive at university.  

When Induni received her place to study Medicine at Imperial, she was both excited and nervous. She knew that an Imperial degree would be challenging – but that living and studying in London would be an enriching experience.

“The course structure, teaching style, and different experiences available appealed to me. Along with the opportunity to complete a BSc and develop research skills, I felt that I would be able to have a rich learning experience at Imperial.”

However, as an international student – Induni is originally from Sri Lanka and grew up in Qatar – she cannot access financial support offered by the UK government, meaning that her parents bear the full financial cost of her studies.

“My dad lost his job from the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, my parents were unable to transfer money as the government has restricted foreign currency transfers. These sudden changes and difficulties have caused my parents a lot of stress and financial difficulty.”

These unexpected circumstances caused Induni to appeal for the Faculty of Medicine Dean’s Fund for financial assistance during the last year of her degree, which alleviated the burden of living expenses. “It helps me feel more at ease to know that I do have support away from home. Receiving the support has allowed me to focus on my studies and placements.”

“I really appreciate your generosity, especially during these times where the cost of living has risen significantly. It also helps to reduce the burden on my parents – so thank you – it means a lot to us.”

Induni spent part of the funding to support her travel to and from clinical placements, which give medicine students the opportunity to apply what they learn into practice in hospitals and medical wards, giving an insight into the careers they can pursue after university.  

Outside of her course, Induni also partakes in various extracurricular activities. “I am a member of the Swim and Waterpolo club and I occasionally take part in the Women’s Cricket and Netball clubs. I really enjoy taking part in these societies – particularly swimming – as it’s a great outlet for stress and just makes me happy. It’s also nice to interact with people outside of my course.”

Nearing the end of her undergraduate degree, Induni spoke about her hopes for the future: “Hopefully I can get a job in the NHS as a junior doctor and put my degree into practice.”

About the Dean’s Fund

The Dean’s Fund supports students to thrive and continue their studies without interruption. By donating to the Dean’s Fund for the Faculty of Medicine, you are ensuring Imperial medical students can develop the skills they need to be the clinicians and scientists of tomorrow.