Global Stories

The human side of the data.

Anonymized interview stories, organized by participant and country. Each story is coded against the same barrier and decision framework used across the whole dataset.

DATA STATUS

The records on this page are illustrative sample entries used to confirm the site's structure. They are not real participant data. Real stories are published only after consent review and human review of the coding.

OL-003 — Uzbekistan · 18–20 · University
"I applied to fewer universities than I wanted to, because each application had its own fee."

Decision affected: number and range of applications submitted.

B02 Application fees D05 Reduced applications
OL-007 — Egypt · 18–20 · Gap year
"Scholarship uncertainty decided where I could even consider studying."

Decision affected: choice of country and institution.

B07 Scholarship uncertainty D04 Required aid
OL-011 — Philippines · 18–20 · University
"I combined work and study once tuition and living costs were added up together."

Decision affected: whether to work while studying.

B09 Need to work D09 Combined work & study
OL-014 — Nigeria · 15–17 · High school
"The exchange rate meant a plan that worked in January didn't work by summer."

Decision affected: intended destination country.

B10 Exchange-rate pressure D01 Changed country
OL-018 — Vietnam · 18–20 · University
"Nobody told me the visa paperwork itself would cost this much to get right."

Decision affected: timing of the application.

B04 Visa costs D06 Delayed / gap year
OL-021 — Peru · 18–20 · University
"My family could support the first year. After that, it was on me."

Decision affected: choice of program length and cost.

B08 Family financial pressure D03 Chose lower-cost option

This dataset grows with every interview.

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