Desperately seeking asylum

Andrew Moscrop talks to Russian asylum seeker Ann Brodski who is struggling to stay in Britain and pursue her medical studies

Securing a place to study medicine is rarely easy. For a young Russian who is currently seeking asylum in Britain, the process is especially challenging. Ann Brodski explains, "My struggle for education has been made much more difficult by the need to struggle for the right to stay in the UK."

Seeking asylum

Ann fled from Russia with her family in 1997 after suffering years of harassment because of their Jewish ancestry. With the money gained from the sale of their Moscow flat and with their possessions stuffed into suitcases, the Brodski family arrived in London. They applied to the Home Office for refugee status and joined the list of over 32 000 who made similar applications that year. "It was a very difficult time," Ann recalls, "but things had been worse in Russia. Besides, we had to remain optimistic or else we wouldn't have survived." Refugee status and the right to remain in Britain is only granted to those who leave their home country because of war or persecution. In considering the Brodskis' case, the UK authorities accepted that the family had experienced difficulties with police officers and criminals in Moscow, but thought that this did not amount to persecution. They were refused asylum.

By this time the family had settled in Scarborough and when they appealed against the Home Office decision it was with the backing of the local community. "Rush of support for asylum seekers," was the headline in the Scarborough Evening News. "A family who fled from a life of hell in Russia have received £2000 from people in Scarborough to fund their application for political asylum," the report continued. "I was completely amazed and very grateful," recalls Ann. "Everyone seemed to be behind us."

Applying to medical school

Ann had worked as a pharmacist in Moscow but asylum seeker status prohibits employment in Britain. "I was not allowed to work as a pharmacist, but I was entitled to study. I had always wanted to be a doctor, so I applied to medical school. I couldn't just sit around waiting for the Home Office to make its decision on our appeal. You have to do things. You have to make new goals and pursue them."

But the UK medical schools refused to accept her Russian qualifications. "I was extremely annoyed. I had studied for three years at the Moscow Pharmaceutical College and got a diploma with distinction. Eventually, though, I decided that I just had to get on and I entered Scarborough Sixth Form College." When she left the college it was with three A levels and three AS levels. However, by now the Brodskis' appeal against the Home Office decision had been dismissed and the family faced imminent deportation. "I didn't feel anything when I got my A level results," Ann said. "I had no pleasure, no feelings at all because I knew that there was such a struggle ahead for me and my family."

Not giving up

Not willing to give up easily, the Brodskis applied to the Home Office for Exceptional Leave to Remain (ELR) and Ann applied for a place at St Bartholomew and the Royal London Hospital School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary College. The ELR ruling allows people who do not meet the definition of "refugee" to remain in Britain when their circumstances are exceptional. Despite assurances that their application would be dealt with in 12 weeks, over six months later a decision on the Brodskis' case has still not been made.

Meanwhile, Ann has been awarded a place at St Bartholomew's. Yet the uncertainty of her status in the country causes problems. When she turned up to enrol at the medical school she was refused permission and told that, without a definite Home Office decision by 5 00 pm the next day, she would lose her place. Ann went to the Home Office at 7 30 am the next morning, well before the office opened. She was placed number 185 in the queue. "When I eventually reached the head of the queue, I was told by a receptionist that my case was still being considered." She was not allowed to discuss her case any further. "Since then I have managed to convince the university to extend their deadline day by day, so I can pursue my studies while the Home Office makes a decision." Ann is attending lectures at St Bartholomew's but has not been allowed to enrol officially.

In contrast to the popular media image, Ann is not in Britain to "just sponge off the state." She is waiting for the Home Office to decide if she will be allowed to remain in Britain or if they will deport her and her family which, she claims, will end her medical career. Reflecting on her situation, Ann concludes, "One cannot anticipate success, one can only work towards it, so I try to do everything I can to succeed."

Andrew Moscrop, Clegg scholar, BMJ, and final year medical student, Edinburgh University
Email: email


studentBMJ 2001;09:399-442 November ISSN 0966-6494

As we go to press, Ann has managed to temporarily enrol at medical school as an overseas student, though she faces the prospect of having to pay thousands of pounds in tuition fees.

If you wish to contact Ann Brodski you can call her on: 0781 023 1784.