A Ukrainian student who fled her war-torn homeland has been accepted into the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to study dance this August.
Vladyslava, originally from Kyiv, studied National 4 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at the South Lanarkshire College in East Kilbride last December.
The student, who competed in national ballet and modern dance competitions in Ukraine, has decribed leaving her life behind and finding success in Scotland reports Lanarkshire LIve.
Vladyslava said: " I left Kyiv in August 2022, after the city became unsafe and I was unable to continue with my studies at university.
"I originally travelled to Berlin in Germany, before travelling onwards to Edinburgh and then East Kilbride.
"I was studying dance at university in Ukraine and I am a keen ballet and modern dancer, competing at a national level and this was something I wanted to continue with whilst living in Scotland, although my English needed some improvement.
"I then found out about South Lanarkshire College and their ESOL course. The course looked brilliant and the opportunities from this really appealed to me as a pathway to progressing to a degree at university.
"I have now applied and been accepted to study a degree in dance in Glasgow at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
"I am delighted to have this opportunity and South Lanarkshire College has really helped me to achieve this dream, which I thought might not be possible after leaving Ukraine. Thank you to the college and my lecturers for all their support.”
Lecturer at ESOL, Mark Sheridan, said: "Vladyslava has been an excellent student and has progressed amazingly during her short period on the ESOL course with us.
"Working with the Community Learning Service at South Lanarkshire Council, the college has grown its ESOL offering significantly over the past 18 months, to support people from countries all over the world, including Ukraine, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Poland, Hong Kong, Iran and beyond.
"The college plays a key role as an anchor institution with the community to provide life long learning opportunities.
"It's great to support students who are keen to improve their English, and build on their skills. It’s really rewarding to see students like Vladyslava progressing to university, further study and employment.”
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