A Letter From Amy Li

Growing up as the child of Chinese immigrants, my parents were big believers in education, but didn’t know much about the UK school system. It was actually my primary school headteacher who encouraged them to have me sit the entrance exam for LHS. She saw potential in me and mentioned that financial help could be available if I did well. I gave it a go, scored top in my year, and thanks to an academic scholarship and generous bursary, I was able to attend LHS. Without that bursary, it just wouldn’t have been possible for us.

When I found out I’d received the bursary, I was thrilled but also a bit nervous about fitting in. I remember hearing all about the other kids’ weekend activities—horse riding, hockey, netball—sports I’d never tried. But my parents were over the moon, and it felt like all their sacrifices and my hard work had paid off. The bursary was a recognition of my hard work and my parents’ sacrifices, opening doors to an education we had never imagined possible. Ultimately, the bursary made a massive difference, allowing me to attend LHS for all seven years, not just one or two.

Reflecting on my time at LHS, I think my path to medicine would have been much less certain without the school’s support. LHS offered resources that were essential in my journey: mock medical interviews, career support, and personal recommendation letters from teachers who had guided me for seven years. Beyond academics, LHS played a fundamental role in shaping my character. The opportunities to debate, perform, and constantly learn taught me to think critically, express my thoughts and opinions and engage with the world. These are qualities about myself that I am proud of to this day and have proved invaluable in my career.

One of the more personal ways LHS supported me was when my form tutor overheard me saying I was struggling to get medical work experience because my parents didn’t have any connections in the profession. He immediately stepped in and arranged a week of work experience for me at the local hospital through his neighbour, which I ended up including in my personal statement. That kind of support—teachers who really cared and took action—is something I’ll never forget.

The bursary also opened doors for me outside the classroom. One of my fondest memories was a music trip to Prague, where I performed with the school band. It was one of my foremost experiences in travel, friendship, and independence. The financial support from the bursary enabled me to participate fully in school life, from lunchtime debates and politics society discussions to music clubs and flute and piano lessons, all of which added layers to my education and personal growth. It also sparked a deep and lasting interest in politics that remains relevant in my work in public health today.

If I were to speak to anyone considering supporting bursaries, I would say that it is an investment not only in a student’s education but in their entire future. The bursary I received gave me opportunities I never would have imagined and, looking back, has shaped who I am today. To those who contributed toward my bursary, my gratitude is immense. Their generosity allowed me to grow, learn, and pursue a career in public health and medicine, a career that suits me well, I am passionate about and know makes a difference in society. Without their support, none of this would have been possible, and I am forever thankful.

Reflecting on these experiences has felt especially meaningful recently, as I attended a close friend’s 27th birthday party. We have been friends since 2009, and he is one of many friends who, like me, are now nearing a decade since leaving school. The memories we share from our years at LSF continue to connect us, grounding us in experiences that shaped us into who we are as we each move forward into the future.