Help arrived just in the nick of time

Make text smaller Make text larger

Just a year away from getting her medical degree, Bermudian Aisha Bassett was at risk of not being able to return to school. A dedicated student with a promising future in her desired field of neurology and oncology, her studies at the University of East Anglia this September were placed in jeopardy.

“My family had applied for a loan and only a few days before I was to start school, we found out we didn't get it,” she said. “I had not left yet. My parents reassured me we would come up with the money but I knew I only had enough money for one semester.”

Alisha Gabriel had been trying to address the growing problem many local medical students face in trying to fund their education while doing her medical residency in paediatrics in Canada.

Dr Gabriel contacted several Bermuda physicians in hopes of getting them to donate funds for medical student scholarships. Margot Harvey responded almost immediately, explaining that she was willing to sponsor a student in their final year of medical school.

Neither doctor knew the dire situation Ms Bassett was facing.

“I got an e-mail from Alisha in September telling me to expect some good news shortly. Then I got an e-mail from Dr Harvey explaining that she wanted to give a scholarship to a student in their final year,” said Ms Bassett.

Although thrilled at the news, Ms Bassett worried that she would be ineligible because she was not in her final year.

“I said: ‘Thank you so much this could not have come at a better time. I could really use this bursary, but I am not in my final year.

“I said to myself: ‘God you wouldn’t dangle this in front of me if it wasn't for me,” she said.

The next day she received another e-mail from Dr Harvey, telling her she would be awarded the scholarship.

Ms Bassett’s tuition is £3,300. The $6,000 scholarship was almost exactly what she needed to cover her tuition for the year.

She said it has allowed her to focus more fully on her studies.

“I have a job on campus but in order to make enough money, I would have to miss a class or work an extra long day,” she said. “This scholarship has enabled me to work less and focus on my studies.”

She’s extremely focused and prudent with her expenditures.

“Because I haven't had the money I haven't really bought books,” she said. “I go to the library read them and put them back on the shelf.”

She said she’s done this since she started university.

“I got used to it. I prioritise what I spend money on,” she said. “If I can read a book, make notes on it then why would I spend £80 on it? I am really meticulous with my money.”

She added: “I am really thankful to Dr Harvey for her generous gift.

“It has helped me more than words can express. I hope it encourages other doctors to donate toward the Bermuda Medical Students’ Society Scholarship so that other medical students requiring help funding their education, can be assisted in meeting their goals.”

Make text smaller Make text larger

Take Our Poll