‘Exhausted’ Aberystwyth student working six jobs risks deportation if she can’t pay uni fees

An Aberystwyth University student has had to work six jobs during her time at university to support herself financially.

International student Gladys Garcia works 15 hours per day to secure her place to study in the UK.

If she fails to fund her studies, Gladys is at risk of losing her visa and the chance to achieve her degree.

The student’s six jobs include working as atudent ambassador of the international politics department, a student representative of lifelong learning languages, a cover supervisor at Penglais School, a youth support worker, a waitress/bar staff, and private tutor.

Originally from Venezuela, Gladys studies a BA in politics and international relations, and moved UK with the ambition and dedication of obtaining a degree.

At the start, she had financial assistance with her fees, yet this plan fell through with a loss of support from her family, but despite working six jobs, she is still currently financially struggling to fund her studies.

Gladys said to Wales Online: “It has been a challenge, I’m not going to lie—mainly to get the schedules to work together because obviously, it’s not like every place I work talks to each other to schedule me in.

“Realistically, if I fail to pay the fees, the university would hold my degree at the end of the year, and most likely what would happen is I would be sent home because my visa would expire whether I have the degree or not.”

If Gladys was to go home and seek help, she would have no option but to discontinue her studies in the UK due to low wages in Venezuela.

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She has also been offered a fully funded placement in Thailand, which would involve teaching English in primary schools this summer, earning a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate.

via GoFundMe

The placement of six weeks is fully funded, but the politics and international relations student will not be able to financially support herself, and would lose the opportunity of funding her university fee’s during the summer.

Despite trying to balance her career and university schedule, Gladys admits that her current jobs are minimum wage, meaning that she cannot fund the £15,375 university fees.

Gladys would need at least £7,700 pounds to relieve herself of her financial struggles.

A fundraiser has been started by Ms Garcia, with a goal of £15,375 to help her achieve her dream of teaching English to non-native speakers.

She has expressed that any extra funding would be spent on living expenses as the majority of the income she earns goes towards her fee’s.

In a public Facebook group, Gladys commented: “I’ve never felt this vulnerable, but I still believe in asking for help, and in the kindness of people who care.

“If I can’t continue my studies, I risk being deported, losing my student visa status and returning to a country that I love but where I ‘have no home to return to’ in my mother’s words.”

In another public Facebook group, her boyfriend, Finn Jones, supported her and said: “Despite losing family support and juggling multiple jobs, she keeps fighting for her dream. If you’re able to help, please check out her story and consider supporting her campaign.”

Featured image via GoFundMe