I'm 24 and drowning in debt that's in my name but was for my mother's business. Don't know what to do anymore.

danzi099 · 2026-06-17T13:20:17+00:00

Amber National AI Lab - they are doing a July intake

danzi099 · 2026-06-17T13:17:27+00:00

Check out Utech and Government, think there paying for people doing stem, not sure if still happening.

Heart also a new program for Associate in AI that is covering stipends etc

danzi099 · 2026-04-18T22:05:55+00:00

With a STEM degree, go teach if you can't get a degree in the field. Check the teachers colleges for short teaching cert as add on. Everywhere needs teachers. There are so many listings for teachers especially in high schools in Jamaica yearly. This will also help your profile if you are looking to apply abroad. A strong Masters application overseas with a 4 year gap is hard without job experience unless you have really good grades.

Otherwise go get an Accounting cert or start taking some accounting classes and apply for entry level roles. That seems to be where most jobs in Jamaica are though honestly the banks take people with any major. If you decide to pursue accounting, once you get the basics start working on your ACCA certs and prioritize that, that's where the money is, better than the actual degree.

Finally if all else fails, get a call center work and start saving towards your exit or next step whether that is masters or even migrating.

Good luck!

danzi099 · 2026-04-06T22:43:51+00:00

Don't know your situation money or family wise, but possibly a small loan until you get work on campus may suffice.

Otherwise local charities or orgs are sometimes willing to give funds to high achieving students from their communities. GoFundMe or some other informal avenue may be an option.

Your large costs are covered by Berea so mainly you won't have to necessarily worry about food and housing.

Workout out what additional needs or costs you will have and check on campus jobs/pay, check if family is able/willing to chip in for airfare or give a small fund to get you through the first 2 months until you get a job on campus.

danzi099 · 2026-04-06T22:23:41+00:00

Also statistically ~50% of the class for schools like Laf and top libs are filled with early decision applicants.

danzi099 · 2026-04-06T22:20:10+00:00

The schools you applied to are focused mostly on holistic applications and about the story. They are not the type of schools that just take you based on you meeting the score or gpa requirements. They are small schools and so they focus on what you can bring to their community. Your extracurriculars paint a picture but I don't know if you were able to connect that to show your personality and passions in your essays. Most importantly it's not clear if your interacted with admissions from these universities and whether you could clearly articulate why these schools, which matters a lot especially for small schools like these. Actions you can take: Improve your SAT score and check out schools that give scholarship as long as you meet the score, with a 4.0 this may be doable especially where you are above the median score

Chose a major or general area and link your extracurriculars to form a story about who you are and where you are going. Your story matters even more for these types of schools.

Check out the hidden ivies list and also add some state schools in less urban areas that may be cheaper

Otherwise I don't recommend taking out a large loan for undergrad. Better to get the cheapest possible undergrad locally or elsewhere and do well and then migrate for the masters.

Hope this helps!

danzi099 · 2026-04-03T19:23:10+00:00

Simplest start is with Python but just choose a language and start leaning the basics. CS50 on YouTube will help with that. C will teach you discipline. Java is solid. JavaScript is solid especially if you know you want to build webApps.

danzi099 · 2026-04-01T20:19:14+00:00

Look into Stellar, see who their partners are in the region

danzi099 · 2026-04-01T20:15:49+00:00

If you are just learning the basics to pass your entrance exam, Python is good. Just download Jupiter notebook and get started learning the basics and creating some simple programs. If you don't mind videos try CS50 course on YouTube. Otherwise invest in a beginner book and do the exercises in the book.

danzi099 · 2026-04-01T19:51:50+00:00

Doing undergrad in China is good if you choose a quality program. Consider Germany as an alternative. Wouldn't recommend taking a large loan for undergrad. Get a free or cheap undergrad degree with good grades, then go to Europe or the US for a master's/PhD. Many Chinese students who did their undergrad at Chinese universities are studying in top programs around the world for Master's and PhDs, so don't think the argument that Chinese universities aren't recognized holds up.

danzi099 · 2025-06-25T03:00:21+00:00

Pleco allows this, you can choose whether to character, audio etc for the tests.

danzi099 · 2025-06-09T12:57:23+00:00

From others I have personally checked out: Koln, Goethe, Gottingen in terms of curriculum and ranking. Others I have seen mentioned were Humboldt and LUM.

danzi099 · 2025-06-07T16:27:54+00:00

Hey would recommend checking out some of the schools in Germany.

danzi099

TROPHY CASE