A PETERSFIELD student is appealing for financial help to continue her education – but Annika Loh only has about a fortnight to raise the tens of thousands of pounds she needs.
The environmental prefect at The Petersfield School heard in February she had earned a place on a residential International Baccalaureate (IB) course at the United World College (UWC) in Maastricht, Holland.
She also gained a £15,000 bursary – but needs a further £38,000 for fees and accommodation, which has to be raised by mid-March.
Annika (16) said: “It is a huge amount, and I am trying to put together smaller sums from people, charities, businesses, organisations and trusts.
“I am extremely passionate about the environment, and my aim is to find sustainable ways to help mitigate climate change through engineering.
“Going to Maastricht will allow me to study for the IB and also equip me with the skills I need to make positive changes in society.
“There are other places where you can study the IB, but they are also fee paying.”
The two-year course includes maths, physics, art, English and either French or German, and geography, or environmental systems and societies.
To get accepted for the college, Anika had to undergo a rigorous selection process just to be shortlisted for an assessment day, on which she had three interviews, gave a presentation, and took part in leadership activities.
And also scrutinised was her environmental enthusiasm – recently she jointly led the TPS campaign to get water meadows near the school donated to Petersfield Town Council.
The owners of the water meadows, Tesco, has now agreed in principle to transfer ownership of them to the town.
Annika said: “At Maastricht I would gain invaluable skills and connections which I could bring back to Petersfield to make positive changes to the community and the environment.
“Coming from a low income family means I can’t contribute to the fees, and I only have a very short space of time to raise the money.
“So I am hoping very much there are people, organisations, charities or trusts out there who can help.”
To help Anika email her at [email protected]