Ruth's journey: Embracing diversity and creative expression

"My screenplay 'You Can't Dance' was longlisted for the Netflix Screenwriter's Fellowship in 2021," Ruth shared. "It was based on my experience, growing up as an undiagnosed neurodivergent Filipino girl in a predominantly White area of England. Getting that far in the process showed me that stories like mine deserve to be heard."

Ruth's involvement in the I, Human: Becoming Visible project, with Senior Lecturer Dr. Diana Yeh, further emphasised the significance of representing diverse experiences.

"I was able to collaborate with people who looked and thought like me to produce creative responses to the British East and Southeast Asian experience and see them performed to a live audience."

After discovering the Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Foundation in 2019, Ruth decided to apply for the Reed Smith Neurodiversity Scholarship. While initially unsuccessful, she reapplied two years later, "I got an email saying my application was successful! I grinned all the way to Keble College in Oxford, where I received the award.” This incredible opportunity has allowed Ruth to receive monthly mentoring from a successful corporate lawyer who is an advocate for autism awareness and very supportive of Ruth’s goals.

Ruth feels grateful for the support she has received from City. "I received a CitySpark Side Hustle grant for my small business which was pretty amazing," she says "I'm super grateful to have such supportive lecturers who have always encouraged me to strive beyond my best and experiment with my work."

Ruth recalls her favourite memory at City, where she read her work in person for the first time at an open mic event. "I remember the first time I did one over Zoom, I was extremely nervous. But being able to read aloud to an audience was really fun, and I noticed that my nervousness had dissipated. That night encapsulated my growth, both as a person and as a writer."

Balancing remote learning and a full-time job during the pandemic was challenging, yet Ruth excelled. During this time, Ruth became Editor-in-Chief of 'The Bard', the English department's creative magazine. Ruth also took a year out and worked as a teaching assistant which deepened her understanding of neurodiversity. Ruth reflected "I volunteered with a student one to one and seeing her confidence skyrocket over time was very rewarding".

Looking to the future

Studying at City has inspired Ruth's future career aspirations. "Last year, I was able to work as a Communications Assistant for the Press Office, which gave me real-world experience with journalism." Ruth is now considering Journalism as a potential career option. Ruth also says, "I've discovered a love for poetry and memoir that I had no idea about!"

Ruth encourages prospective students to embrace the opportunities that City offers.

"City not only provides everything you would expect from an English degree, but it switches it up to ensure you're well prepared for the future. You can discover new interests and explore the ones you already have. Whoever you are, you can definitely find your place at City."

In addition to her remarkable achievements, Ruth was awarded the highest marks for her dissertation titled: King of Kings: Empire and Colonialism in Frictional Games' Amnesia series. This will be recognised with a prize at her graduation. Many congratulations to Ruth on this well-deserved honour.