Vicki

Vicki McLeod never imagined someone from her background would go to university – let alone trek to Everest Base Camp. But one life-changing award changed everything for her.

Like many students, Vicki’s own academic journey wasn’t always clear-cut. Vicki initially studied Social Sciences, then switched to Psychology in her third year, and now works in social care and mental health, helping others recognise the potential within themselves, just as she did.

Vicki received a Sir Alex Ferguson Travel Award to undertake a seven-day scholarship at the African Leadership University in Mauritius, something she admits she would never have done without the extra support.

“When I first started university, I probably had a bit of imposter syndrome going on because people who come from the background that I come from don't go to uni.

“But being in Mauritius showed you that anybody can do anything, really, that they want at any time.

In addition to making the trip of a lifetime to Mauritius, Vicki was also thankful to meet one of GCU’s founding donors, Sir Alex Ferguson, whose support inspired her in more ways than one.

“I've met Sir Alex a few times now, and one of the times he was at the University speaking about his book. It does drive you. It drives you to see that you're capable of doing whatever you want to do.

“It actually changed the whole outlook of where I was going with my career. I wanted to do a doctorate in psychology, but now I'm working with students who are where I once was and going through quite similar things to what I went through at university, and helping them with their mental health and to get their degrees and their qualifications.

“I wouldn't have done that if it wasn't for the opportunities that I had at GCU.”

Since graduating, not only has Vicki made impressive moves in her professional career, but she has also achieved personal goals.

“Before Mauritius, the world to me was a small place. I didn't dream of travelling far; there was never really going to be an opportunity for that. But then going to Mauritius gave me the urge to see more.

“Hiking Mount Everest was always something that I wanted to do, but it was never going to happen. And I suppose reflecting on my time in Mauritius, you just think “Well, we don't say 'never', we just do it”, and you just work towards it, and that's it.

“It was scary, but we achieved it. And again, back to Mauritius and someone like me getting a degree, that was never possible, but we change things, don’t we? And that was thanks to GCU and Sir Alex Ferguson.”