“No Dream Is Ever Too Big” Says Man Who Graduated From The University Of Oxford With Bachelor Of Civil Law

A man named Samuel Bailey, from Jamiacan who graduated last month from the Faculty of Law, University of Oxford with Bachelor of Civil Law has shared a motivational post on his LinkedIn.

He wrote:

Last month I graduated from the Faculty of Law, University of Oxford with my Bachelor of Civil Law, one of the most difficult postgraduate law degrees in the world! I thank God, my family, friends, community and the entire nation of Jamaica 🇯🇲 for supporting me.

I also thank the Rhodes Trust for providing me with this opportunity to study at this world leading university and Balliol College, University of Oxford for supporting me for the past year.

As I reflect on the difficulties of the past year I have three main takeaways:

  1. True strength does not come from the absence of hardship, but is built by persevering through tough battles.
  • Over the past few months I endured the most rigorous academic work of my life, whilst adjusting to a new and cold environment, isolating weather, and of course…a depressing ongoing pandemic.

However, at the end of it I am stronger and wiser. (Psalm 18:39)

  1. The journey may feel lonely but you are never alone.
  • As one of the only black students in my many of my classes and coming straight from the Caribbean, the last year felt lonely at many points.

Racism and prejudice in the UK, especially in legal circles, is the harsh reality. However, I surrounded myself with a very supportive network and community, from those physically present in Oxford/UK to those back home.

Not only did a village raise me but it continues to support me through each step of my journey!

  1. No dream is ever too big!
  • It has always amazed me looking back that I have been able to achieve things which I previously thought were unrealistic. When I began studying law 7 years ago I was hard working and ambitious but studying law at Oxford was a far-fetched dream for a young black Jamaican boy.

Now it has become a reality. I stand extremely grateful for where I am and I continue to dream even bigger. Never limit yourself!

I now shift my focus to the next step in my journey, completing my MBA at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford!

Source: LinkedIn

Email: elora.akpotosevbe@yahoo.com