Marina Costin Fuser, Gender Studies PhD
When I decided to leave my comfort zone and enrol as a PhD candidate at University of Sussex, I had no idea of what I was getting into.
I had to build multiple bridges to overcome cultural clashes, stress, personal turmoil, even panic attacks. My grandmother, who's helped raise me, passed away. I have found myself so close to giving up - but I didn't.
It took me longer than the usual PhD student. But I developed resilience, as I finished my thesis from overseas, in Brazil. My supervisors did not give up on me, and this would have been impossible without their support. So thank you. You have been brilliant.
I have nothing to say to Sussex other than thank you. I learned and grew so much from this experience, as an academic, as a mature person, as an empowered Latina, as a postcolonial feminist who still hopes to give a small and situated contribution into making the world a better place.
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