As a child, Callum Lynch was exposed to sickening violence and neglect.
But after being taken into care, he turned his life around and won a spot to study at one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
Callum, 22, from Parkhead in Glasgow , was shocked to have won a summer placement at Harvard in Cambridge, near Boston.
He was put in a children’s home at 11 and says the offer of a 10-week spell at America’s top educational establishment was something he never dreamed possible.
Callum, who went to the States on a Who Cares? Scotland scholarship, said: “I never thought a boy from the east end would get the chance to go to Harvard.
“It was a dream come true. I never imagined I’d be chosen. When I got the call, it didn’t seem real.
“Even to this day, I still can’t comprehend it because I’m from an unstable upbringing, which is quite sad really.
“I spent a summer in America, doing more learning than I had ever done before and seeing more of the world than I ever had previously.”
After being excluded from two primary schools, Callum seemed to be spiralling towards a life blighted by crime, drugs and alcohol .
He said: “My childhood was tough and I grew up in a family where violence was an everyday occurrence.
“I never had sleepovers or friends round because our home was too chaotic. I wasn’t looked after properly and my only escape was school, where I felt safe and secure for a few hours.
“I knew there weren’t many opportunities for someone like me and I thought I’d end up on the streets.
“I would act up in class just to be noticed and my behaviour was labelled as disruptive. It eventually led to me being made to leave two primary schools .
“I remember the word ‘delinquent’ being used to describe me and that hurt a lot. It was easier for teachers to write me off rather than ask why I was acting like this.
“I acted that way, I suppose, because when the bell rang at three o’clock and it was time for me to go home, I knew it wasn’t going to be safe.”
It was when Callum reached high school that things began to change – and he realised he didn’t want to become just another statistic.
He left school with eight Highers – all either As or Bs – and says his biggest motivation was “the fear of failing”.
He said: “I wanted a better future and knew the only way to achieve it was to work hard at school.
“My teachers soon noticed how well I was doing and I was picked to be part of a small group of high achievers. It was a massive boost and made me more driven to succeed.”
The charity Who Cares? Scotland, who Callum has been an active member of for years, introduced him to the opportunity of a lifetime – the chance to study at Harvard.
To his surprise, he was accepted to their summer school programme. Travelling to America and living independently in student accommodation was a whole new experience for Callum.
He said: “I had no idea what to expect. I’ve always lacked confidence but as soon as I got to Harvard I was made to feel very welcome.
“The student advisers knew about my circumstances and helped me find my feet.
“The buildings and surroundings were incredible and the library was so grand. The first thing I signed up for was Capital Markets and Investment but this was an advanced course for experienced business investors.
“I’ve always pushed myself but at the age of 18, that felt a bit beyond me. I changed to a journalism class and that felt much better.
“I felt very privileged to be in an environment where eight American presidents had actually studied before.”
Returning to Scotland, Callum went on to study for a degree in Management and Marketing at Strathclyde University .
But even then, things weren’t always easy. He said: “I was my own worst critic. I would look around me and always worry that I wasn’t good enough. Accepting that I’m okay, that I’m worth something and that I’m capable can be hard.
“No one should be ashamed of the fact they’ve been in care. I had done nothing wrong but I was still too embarrassed to tell people.”
After years of dedication and hard work, he handed in his honours dissertation on July 26 – 11 years after he was first taken into care. He added: “When I realised it was 11 years to the day, it felt surreal.”
Only seven per cent of youngsters in the care system go on to university and it’s a shocking statistic Callum hopes will change.
He says he’s optimistic about the upcoming “root and branch” review of the care set-up.
Announced by Nicola Sturgeon in 2016, it will see the First Minister hear from at least 1000 people who have experience of the system.
It is hoped the review will break down the barriers young people have faced for decades and give more children the chance to reach their full potential.
Callum said: “Young people in care don’t have it easy. Too many end up falling into a life of crime or in homeless accommodation.
“I had a terrible start to life and to this day, it’s still difficult for me to accept that I’ve been to Harvard.
“I’ve always doubted myself but hope I can inspire other kids in the care system to achieve their goals.”
