HOW I DID IT

Maksym Starun, 13, from Ukraine, is now in year nine at St Leonards. Here, he shares his experience of boarding and studying at the school

Why did you want to come to study in the UK?

A family friend’s son had attended the school and had really enjoyed it. I also wanted to study English because it’s not something that I was able to study to such a high level in Ukraine.

How did your family find out about St Leonards?

My father’s friend’s son came to St Leonards and recommended the school to me. Moving overseas and away from my family was scary, but I decided to try it for three months. I enjoyed it so much that I’ve now been here for three years! My younger sister is going to join me here in the boarding house in the spring too.

What was the application process like?

I remember having an online meeting with the Headmaster at the time. It was a bit scary because my English wasn’t as good then. I found it quite hard to understand all the questions, but he was very nice.

Would your education have been very different if you had not come to study in the UK? And if so, how?

I would certainly not have such a good level of English if I’d not come to study in the UK. I also think I wouldn’t have had such good teachers back home. There are good teachers in Ukraine, but here they are so great. There are also subjects I wouldn’t have been able to study, like drama. We didn’t have that in Ukraine and I really enjoy studying it, learning about things like improvisation and playing different roles.

Did you have any concerns about studying in the UK?

I was leaving my home and my family and friends, so it was really scary at first. But as soon as I arrived, I made a new friend from Cuba whose mother was Russian, and he was able to help me while I was still learning English.

How did you feel about boarding at first?

I didn’t really know what to expect or what it’d be like living away from home, but I’ve settled in and have been so happy here at St Leonards.

How were you helped when you arrived at St Leonards?

When I first arrived, I met Timur who became my good friend and really helped me to understand what was happening. I also made friends with a boy in year 11, a few years older than me. All the boarding house and teaching staff really helped me too,

Now, it can be hard to contact my parents back home in Kyiv as sometimes there’s no electricity there, but the boarding staff do everything they can to help me call home when I can. They’ve been so good to me.

What do you like about studying in the UK?

My favourite thing is just being here in school, so everything! The teachers are really kind and supportive. I also really enjoy the opportunities outside of lesson time – I do rifle shooting club, dance and rugby after school.

Are you planning on continuing your studies in the UK after school, if you stay on at St Leonards for sixth form?

My plan is to finish school

I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT or what it’d be like living away from home, but I’ve settled in AND HAVE BEEN SO HAPPY AT ST LEONARDS

here and then stay in the UK for university. It’s far too early to know what I want to study though!

What do your family and friends think of you coming to study in the UK?

They think it’s quite cool. Not everybody has the opportunity to come to a boarding school in the UK to study. Some schools in Ukraine are really very good, but being able to speak English like I can now means that I can speak to anyone.

Anything else?

I think if you want to make the most of this school, you should talk to as many other people as possible everyone is friendly. Also just have fun!