I woke up this morning, looked at the news and cried. I'd like to explain why

the75percent:

As a young voter studying for a BA French and Spanish degree at the University of Southampton, I’d like to share some concerns regarding this morning’s EU referendum result, from the point of view of myself and my peers.

Without even mentioning the devastating effects that this result will have (and has already had) on our economy, I’d like to focus on an issue that many key politicians failed to recognise throughout the campaigning: the impact that this Brexit will  have on the young people of today, in terms of career prospects and travel opportunities.

As a languages student I am lucky enough to have just completed a nine month placement studying and working in the south of Spain. This would not have been possible without the Erasmus programme that students (of any discipline) benefit from as EU members, and which also provides grants to help with the cost of living and travelling abroad, so that I could truly make the most of my experience.

I can’t think of anywhere else in the world where there is such a variety of cultures in such close proximity, and so easily accessible both thanks to lower travel costs and, more importantly, the freedom of movement offered by the EU (which any citizen, of any age or background, can take advantage of- oh and with free EU healthcare too!).

Travel gives our young people the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones and expand their cultural horizons through experiencing other ways of life, which in turn leads to becoming more tolerant about other communities and their practices in general. Tolerance and an understanding of our European neighbours are key to ensuring lasting peace and maintaining international relations.

Myself and my peers feel absolutely heartbroken with the result. The devastating irony is that the people that voted us into this irreversible mess won’t be alive for long enough to truly see the consequences, the same consequences that my generation is now stuck with (see graph attached). It seems disgustingly unfair that the voting age wasn’t lowered to 16 for this referendum, as it was for the Scottish Independence referendum, as it is us young people who will be hit the hardest.

How young people’s career and travel opportunities will be affected, I dread to think. How my career will pan out now, I do not know. But one thing is for sure: I am no longer proud to call myself British.

-Catherine Simpson, 22, Salisbury

Worth reading the accounts of young people whose futures are about to be profoundly altered by something they didn’t choose.