English course helped Ukrainian dancer thrive
Vladyslava lands place at prestigious college
A student who fled the war in Ukraine has found success in her course at South Lanarkshire College.
Vladyslava, originally from the capital Kyiv, joined South Lanarkshire College, based in East Kilbride, in December 2022 to study National 4 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).
She has now applied, and been successful, in gaining a place to study a degree in dance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in August.
Vladyslava has described her experience from leaving her home city and friends behind to finding success in Scotland.
She 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. I’m 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’m 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.”
Mark Sheridan, ESOL lecturer, added: “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.”
To hear more about students like Vladyslava, courses on offer and opportunities at South Lanarkshire College visit its website.