My name is Fabian and I am from Germany. After having spent a gap year in the US volunteering in a life-sharing community for young adults with special needs, I am now in my first year at LSE studying  for a Bsc in Philosophy and Economics.

I chose both, LSE and this particular course, because I wanted to study in an environment as stimulating as possible. Having always shared a great passion for Philosophy and Economics alike, this particular combination of the two subjects allows me to link those  two subjects that I love so much. I can combine my passion for mathematics with my interest and enthusiasm concerning society, economics and philosophy. I hope that my degree will allow me to become a more complete academic whilst providing me with essential skills and tools for future careers .

Through Stelios' generous support  I am now given the chance to read the course of my choice at one of the most vibrant and inspiring Universities in the world.

After I graduate I would like to work in an environment that enables me to shoulder responsibility, to make an impact and to bring in and realize my own ideas. Ideally I would like to discover innovative potential future business sectors, maybe even to start  my own business within such sectors.

Through the Stelios scholarship I experienced the huge difference that trust and support can make. My life just changed completely on the day I was told that I got awarded the scholarship. Without the generous support I would not be in the priviligued position I am in right now. I am living my dream of a world-class education, looking ahead to a future that seems bright and promising to me. I  am planning to use  the  time  I gain through not being forced to work to fund my living to give back some of the enormous support that I received myself.

Through the experiences I made during my gap year  and my own experiences with the Stelios scholarship I am fully convinced of the importance of giving. The experience of working with young adults with special needs gave me an idea of what it feels like to make an  impact on another person's live and perspectives for the future. This is another reason why I want to continue volunteering and working with young adults through the LSE student mentoring scheme. This would give me the chance to inspire young people, to encourage promising students  to aim high and to apply to top universities,  to be a role model and finally to give back some of the support that I received.

If my circumstances will ever allow me to do so, I would love to follow Stelios' path and to give out scholarships myself. One just can not overrate the difference that such support can make to a young person's life.

John F. Kennedy: „Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone.“

I would like to ask Stelios about his plans for the future. Stelios could ask me how I think young people could  make an impact and a difference in the world we are living in.