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How a Queen's Bursary Changed My Life

Two Queen's College alumnae tell us about how having a bursary changed their lives

	12 Oct 2020
	Supporter News

Suesal (OQ 2003) and Millie (OQ 2011)

Suesal's Story

Suesal Arieli was at Queen’s College from 1996-2003. She studied Latin, History, Geography, and Economics at A-level, and went on to complete an undergraduate degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Balliol College, University of Oxford.

Before starting her own consultancy, Suesal’s interest in understanding what drives peak performance led her to work at Deutsche Bank, ITN, and McAllister Olivarius LLP, a workplace harassment law firm. In 2014, she founded Arieli & Company, a leadership consultancy and career management firm. Its mission is to help leaders create a legacy that matters to them.

“It’s hard to articulate the value of Queen’s College’s generous bursary support. I wasn’t a very confident teenager, so to have a stranger invest in me in that way was game-changing. It gave me the self-belief and motivation to apply myself academically, and strengthened my commitment to make a difference to others. My bursary support played a critical role in shaping the person I am today.” - Suesal Arieli (OQ 2003)

Millie's Story

Millie studied English, Geography and Psychology at A level. She is now an Executive Assistant for a global hedge fund manager in London, managing over $16 billion in assets. Millie is also part of the fundraising team for Oracle Cancer Trust, raising funds for research projects for head and neck cancer.

"I joined Queen’s College having been accepted after 11+. It was not until my first GCSE year, when my mother was diagnosed with head and neck cancer, that she struggled with the fees, being self-employed and unable to work while battling treatment. This is when Queen’s stepped in and offered me a bursary, allowing me to stay at the College. I have no doubt that I would not have thrived as well as I did in the nurturing environment at Queen’s, had I not been able to stay. The support from all of my teachers throughout my time at Queen’s is something I am so very grateful for, and has shaped the person I am today." - Millie Dean (OQ 2011)

We are committed to widening access to Queen’s to as many bright and talented girls as possible, regardless of their parents’ ability to pay our fees. Not only can these bursaries have a transformational impact on the life outcomes of the individual pupils who receive them, but the whole Queen’s community benefits from a wider and more diverse intake of pupils from a range of different backgrounds.

As part of our 175 Bursary Apeal, we hope to raise £1.75 million for our bursary fund by our 175th birthday in 2023. Please visit our appeal page to help us support the next generation of pupils.

How a Queen's Bursary Changed My Life

Two Queen's College alumnae tell us about how having a bursary changed their lives

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