Olha is about to finish studying the Progress to Advanced Programme (PTOA). She fled an arms conflict in the Ukraine and moved to the UK and joined the college on the PTOA last year. We caught up with the tri-lingual student to find out a little more about her journey so far.

What made you choose NewVIc?

A year ago, I moved to the UK due to an arms conflict in the Ukraine. It was a spontaneous movement to a country that offered me and my family opportunities and protection against danger at home.

Honestly, I didn't choose NewVIc, NewVIc chose me. A few days before returning to my new home, I received a letter inviting me to the PTOA course. This was the start of my journey to be accepted in NewVIc, gaining new knowledge, new experiences and new friends; leaving my past life in the Ukraine.

How have you found sixth form so far?

During the academic year at NewVIc, I have realised how friendly and cohesive the college is, how good the knowledge obtained whilst studying is. NewVIc is perfect for me.

It was the college that built my personality and pushed me to study my course deeper, in order to get a better understanding. Although English is a third language for me, NewVIc opened up so many opportunities for me and created an environment that was safe and comfortable for me to be in.

Tell us about some of the projects you have been involved in at the college?

The biggest project for me this year was a campaign dedicated to the refugees we planned and put together with my peers and teachers for our Citizenship lessons. As a refugee having to flee my own country under a year ago, this campaign was close to my heart. The aim of our campaign was to show the world that refugees are just like us, ordinary human beings who have just faced difficult barriers and situations that compel them to flee and try and relocate elsewhere.

We held a charity fundraiser for Save The Children. Together with my classmates and teachers, we managed to raise more than £260.00 in one hour. Whilst fundraising we raised awareness of refugees with students and staff. We also carried out a sponsored walk on Parliament Hill to get a sense of the struggles and journeys lots of refugees make walking long distances with only hope for a better future. Our campaign highlighted that the refugee crisis in the world is ever growing; and we all need to be aware and support where we can.

As a refugee myself, I know first hand how difficult it is fleeing from a country that went into war. Refugees need support, understanding and opportunities to save them from the horrific situations they had to flee. I owed it to myself to spread and raise awareness about this topic to the wider community, students and staff. In my opinion, people should treat everyone equally, no matter who they are and why and with what intention they came to another country.

I would like to point out that throughout the year, all the teachers helped me in difficult periods, supported me and encouraged me to take action where needed. The Foundation Learning department and all its members were my support anchor during this difficult year. They helped me to convey the message of our campaign and my own position to the whole college and local community.

I am also part of the Student Council, a responsibility that is so worthwhile. I can speak up about problems and look for solutions. For this year, together with my group, we raised issues on food, leisure time and knowledge in our college. As Student Council, you belong to a community that shares similar beliefs and priorities; in my position you have the opportunity to reach out to people who make important decisions and spread the opinions of students. Student Councilors are an important part of the college. I respect that the college enables young people to discuss and solve problems together.

Is there anything you wish you had known that you do now?

There is one thing that I would’ve liked to know before my admission to NewVIc: that there’s always someone at the college who will support you and there will always be people who want to bring you down.

This is nothing new for anyone; however, when I came to the college for the first time, I was mostly afraid of the new environment and the new community, full of strangers having just fled another country. However, I got past that, because NewVIc opened my door to adulthood, growing up, different styles of learning and a diverse community where there are different people from all over the world.

Who is the most inspiring person you have ever met?

The most inspiring person for me is my dad and he will always be the most inspiring person I have ever met. He is a professional athlete, has several higher education qualifications, always shows me that you can achieve anything at any age. No matter what, he continues to inspire me and work for our successful future.

At college, the most inspiring person is my tutor, Annabelle, who believed in me with unwavering optimism during throughout the year, who also became my second mom, helping me to go through difficult times and giving me advice, giving me faith and inspiring me. Thank you Annabelle.

What is your advice for students considering NewVIc?

All of whom I met advised me to try, work hard and follow my dreams. However, no one ever says how difficult it is to do so in a foreign country and in a foreign language.

The best advice I can give is to work as hard as you can and never compare your path with someone else’s. Your beginning may be in the middle of another person's path, or the other way around. Follow your goals and beliefs, each student has their own potential that only needs to be discovered, so go for it!

So what’s next?

I have a simple answer: I have no idea at the moment. To tell you the truth since the war started I have no plans for the future. I just live in the moment. And that moment for me is unknown, because I don't know what is going to happen to me in the future. But one thing for sure, I will continue to develop, learn and find even more incredible people to connect with.