Alumni Spotlight: Mikael Daly

LAE Tottenham is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievement of 2023 alumnus Mikael Daly. He has been awarded a full undergraduate scholarship to University College London by the prestigious Avicenna Foundation.

Mikael’s journey to this milestone has been anything but conventional. After completing his A-Levels, he chose to take a gap year. It was a decision he initially questioned as his friends headed off to university and freshers' week. “I felt like maybe a gap year wasn’t the best idea,” Mikael reflected. “However, it was one of the best decisions I ever made.” During this time, he hiked 250 kilometres across Costa Rica in just 19 days and practised his A-Level Spanish. He worked two part-time jobs and completed an internship where he learned to film and edit content for a well-known TikToker. These experiences sharpened his organisational, teamwork and time management skills. He also immersed himself in reading, finishing over 80 novels, and found time for running and volunteering.

Throughout his time at LAET, Mikael was deeply engaged in the school’s vibrant culture. “What I most enjoyed about LAET was the sense of community,” he said. “From the annual culture days and sports days to the fashion show, there was a strong sense of camaraderie and support. Although the emphasis on academic rigour still rings true, my time at LAET was definitely more than getting a piece of paper at the end of it.”

The Avicenna Foundation, which awarded Mikael his scholarship, is a UK-based charity dedicated to supporting the Muslim community through further education, mentorship and leadership development. Each year, it receives hundreds of applications from across the country but awards only around 25 to 30 scholarships. This makes Mikael’s selection all the more significant. Since its inception, the foundation has supported over 100 students in accessing higher education. Mikael’s scholarship not only covers tuition fees, allowing him to focus fully on his studies, but also includes access to a leadership development programme and a network of mentors and alumni.

Looking ahead to his time at UCL, Mikael is eager to explore his passion for history with the guidance of top academics. “I’m looking forward to delving into my interest in history. Meeting, speaking and learning from students from all over the world,” he shared. “I also look forward to getting stuck into lots of new opportunities and joining loads of societies.”

To current LAET students, Mikael offers heartfelt advice. “Build strong relationships with your teachers. Not only are they going to help with your academic progress, but they also have a lot to give and a lot to teach. Make the most of the extra-curricular support, like work experience, residentials and scholarships. Lastly, I would say that if you are struggling with the workload, hoping to improve your predicted grades or deciding between university and an apprenticeship, there is always an opportunity to pull it back.”

The entire LAET community wishes Mikael every success as he embarks on this exciting new chapter. His story is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through talent, perseverance and the right support.