I did the whole road alone — you don't have to

I grew up in Poznań with big plans and very little support in making them happen. Nobody in my family had studied abroad, so every step — choosing a university, writing the application, collecting documents, finding scholarships — I had to figure out by myself.

Alongside school I ran a debating club, volunteered, worked with Amnesty International on human rights campaigns and, at sixteen, founded my own NGO. Later I volunteered in Namibia, an experience that changed my perspective and taught me how to build a life far from everything familiar. I have since spoken about it on a TEDx stage.

I was eventually admitted to European Law School at Maastricht University. The road was not smooth, and that is precisely why I understand students who are just starting theirs.

I believe the greatest value of education is not the diploma. It is who we become along the way.