Valentin Hinov

2/ I came to Scotland in 2010, just 3 years after Bulgaria had joined the EU. Retrospectively, I was incredibly lucky. When you think of when Brexit is happening, this is a window of just *14 years* where getting a free education was even a possibility.

3/ Let's run some math on the investment that @saastweet made on me. I'll even use their latest figures (https://www.saas.gov.uk/_forms/funding_guide.pdf …) for this, even though when I was in Uni, the fees were less. £1,820 * 4 years = £7,280. Yes, Americans, that is how much my *entire* degree costs.

4/ My first well-paying job (which I got straight after uni) I was earning £30k/year. That means I was paying £3,530 in taxes a year. The taxes from 2 years on my first job out of uni is how much it costs to pay for a 4-year quality education.

5/ I also didn't come here alone. Scotland was a very popular destination amongst my peers in 2010. Many of whom have stayed here and are now in well-paying jobs, have bought houses, and are contributing in so many ways to the Scottish economy.

6/ I would like to think that in some small part, us EU students are paying back that original £7k investment with plenty of dividends. I Scotland and I want it to be a successful country.

7/ I wanted to say this, because with Brexit looming, I am under no illusion EU students coming here after 2021 would be able to enjoy the same benefits I had. https://www.saas.gov.uk/full_time/brexit/index.htm … And it would be a shame for Scotland to miss out on them.