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Original poster

May I celebrate this with you, as I have no family and few friends in the UK?D

40 replies

IceLollyMolly · 29/09/2025 12:15

I don't dare post this in AIBU, given the current climate, but I really need to share with somebody!

I am a new immigrant and part of the Boriswave whom everybody loves to hate. Tomorrow, I am going to Cambridge to help my son take up his place there for a master's degree. It's been a long, stressful journey. DS moved here with us when he was 16, giving up everything he knew- friends, school etc- to pursue his dream of an Oxbridge degree. Didn't make it at UG level and went to his second choice uni, but has made it at Masters. I am so thrilled and proud, but I have no family or old friends who know my journey to share it with. I don't share stuff like this on my social media either. Our grandparents came from poverty- no inherited money at all- so I marvel at his achievement.

I know this post may draw people who won't be too happy at this, but I am hoping it also draws others. I know he will be an asset to the UK, if allowed to stay.

OP posts:
KurtCobainLover · 29/09/2025 12:16

That's fantastic! You must be really proud of him:)

MrsSkylerWhite · 29/09/2025 12:17

That’s fantastic. Congratulations to your son on his achievement.

Homewardbanned · 29/09/2025 12:19

Bloody good on him. What is he going to study?

Interested in this thread?

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Higher education
StrawberryBluee · 29/09/2025 12:19

How fantastic! You must be very proud of him. Will you do anything to celebrate? 🥳

rainbowunicorn22 · 29/09/2025 12:19

Congratulations, what a wonderful achievement. you should be proud of yourself and your son. I hope his future is very successful and he achieves great things sending a big hug to you

YumYa · 29/09/2025 12:19

Oh I love reading stuff like this. Mega congratulations. 🎊🥳

Are you doing anything special to celebrate?

BloodyHellBob · 29/09/2025 12:20

Wow, what an achievement! Not a bit surprised that you want to share! Congratulations 🥳

ninjahamster · 29/09/2025 12:21

That’s amazing, what is his masters in?

magicscares · 29/09/2025 12:21

Congratulations to you & your son! You are rightly proud as this is really exciting. As the grandchild of refugees, who spoke no English, I fully appreciate & support the wonderful benefits that welcoming migrants to the uk some often brings.

magicscares · 29/09/2025 12:21

so not some

Wordless · 29/09/2025 12:23

Congratulation to you and him.

(At this time of year I always reminisce about my mother and I taking the train to Cambridge for me to start my first term as an undergrad. She too was an immigrant to the UK, after an anglocentric education.)

Hope you get to spend more time there with him during his studies.

Bbq1 · 29/09/2025 12:24

Congratulations to your son and you, Op. You deserve to be proud. Lovely post.

Original poster
IceLollyMolly · 29/09/2025 12:27

Thanks everyone! He is studying economics- the hard mathsy kind- and wants to work in economic research, maybe for someone like the Bank of England or the World Bank, or even for a charity.

The pandemic was a very hard time for all of us as we had just moved. I kept repeating: This too shall pass. Hard work pays off. You won't regret this... like a parrot. He's spent five years working like a demon, giving up his social life, and trying to perfect Further Maths! Sent out over 80 applications to get the right work experience, won a prize for Economics in his university.

I wasn't even sure it was the right decision, but regardless of what happens in the next few years, I feel it was a good thing to do for him. He's very academic and enjoys study.

OP posts:
MrsSkylerWhite · 29/09/2025 12:32

Thank you for choosing the UK 😊

Original poster
IceLollyMolly · 29/09/2025 12:39

MrsSkylerWhite · 29/09/2025 12:32

Thank you for choosing the UK 😊

That's kind of you to say, especially as recent Farage developments have been very disturbing. We are from a Commonwealth country and had quite Anglophone upbringings reading Shakespeare, Wordsworth, and watching Yes Minister! Made many work trips to London and loved it so much we decided to take advantage of job opportunities within our organisation.

My husband and I are both educated in our home country in rigorous but unknown STEM courses no one here has heard of- dreamed of studying at Oxford or at least the LSE- but couldn't afford it back then. But we have been saving our entire lives for our DC's education. My grandmum didn't have the privilege of an education, so I always wanted my kids to be as educated as they could manage.

OP posts:
Saltpepperetal · 29/09/2025 12:40

It's an absolutely wonderful achievement and you are so right to be proud , both of your son and yourself.

MrsSkylerWhite · 29/09/2025 12:43

IceLollyMolly · 29/09/2025 12:39

That's kind of you to say, especially as recent Farage developments have been very disturbing. We are from a Commonwealth country and had quite Anglophone upbringings reading Shakespeare, Wordsworth, and watching Yes Minister! Made many work trips to London and loved it so much we decided to take advantage of job opportunities within our organisation.

My husband and I are both educated in our home country in rigorous but unknown STEM courses no one here has heard of- dreamed of studying at Oxford or at least the LSE- but couldn't afford it back then. But we have been saving our entire lives for our DC's education. My grandmum didn't have the privilege of an education, so I always wanted my kids to be as educated as they could manage.

Show quote history

Exactly my MIL’s feeling. She came from Germany in early 1950s as an au pair, met FIL and stayed. She had won a place at university in Germany but was unable to take it up because of family finances. She was so proud when her sons all graduated from London universities.

Enjoy celebrating with your son.

WatchingTheDetective · 29/09/2025 12:44

Huge congratulations to your son, and to you too. It's an amazing achievement and shows what a determined young man he is. I hope he has a wonderful time at Cambridge.

SaidNo1Ever · 29/09/2025 12:45

Congratulations! Success stories like this is what life is all about. Thank you for sharing and good luck to you and your son.

toooldforbrat · 29/09/2025 12:46

Congratulations to you and your son! incredible achievement !

AprilinPortugal · 29/09/2025 12:48

That's amazing! Many congratulations!! Sounds like he's worked hard for this and thoroughly deserves it! Glad to have you here 😊

madaboutpurple · 29/09/2025 12:50

Congratulations to your son and indeed yourself as life must be tough I would reckon.

Homewardbanned · 29/09/2025 12:57

IceLollyMolly · 29/09/2025 12:27

Thanks everyone! He is studying economics- the hard mathsy kind- and wants to work in economic research, maybe for someone like the Bank of England or the World Bank, or even for a charity.

The pandemic was a very hard time for all of us as we had just moved. I kept repeating: This too shall pass. Hard work pays off. You won't regret this... like a parrot. He's spent five years working like a demon, giving up his social life, and trying to perfect Further Maths! Sent out over 80 applications to get the right work experience, won a prize for Economics in his university.

I wasn't even sure it was the right decision, but regardless of what happens in the next few years, I feel it was a good thing to do for him. He's very academic and enjoys study.

Edited

Super impressive. What a top lad.

BCBird · 29/09/2025 13:01

What an achievement. Well done to you too fir raising such an exceptional character

BaskervilleOldFace · 29/09/2025 13:38

Many congratulations to your son and welcome to the UK!