How East Sussex College Helped Oksana Achieve Her University Dream

East Sussex College is proud to celebrate the success of Oksana Yaremenko, a dedicated ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) student who has recently taken the next big step in her education – starting a degree at the University of Sussex.

Originally from Ukraine, Oksana joined East Sussex College to develop her English skills and build a foundation for studying and working in the UK.

“When I first arrived in the UK, I really wanted to start studying at the college right away, but because of some difficult family circumstances, I could only join two years later,” Oksana says. “When I finally started, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The ESOL course helped me develop my English very quickly and feel part of life in the UK.”

Through hard work, determination, and the support of her tutors, Oksana achieved an incredible milestone - securing a place at university, where she is now studying Business Management and Economics.

“The teachers created such a warm and supportive atmosphere that it was easy to stay motivated. My classmates were from many different countries, and we became like a family. My favourite tradition was Happy Friday,” Oksana shares. “Everyone brought delicious food from their home countries, and we shared stories, laughter, and tastes from all over the world! I also loved spending time in the college library - full of useful books - and the free breakfasts and lunches made everyone feel cared for.”

Her tutors in the ESOL department were delighted to see Oksana achieve her goal, describing her as a motivated and positive student who made the most of every opportunity during her time at college.

“East Sussex College really played an important role in helping me achieve my dream of studying at the University of Sussex.”

Oksana says her ESOL studies equipped her with essential skills that have already proven invaluable at university.

“The ESOL course helped me not only improve my English but also understand British culture, academic writing, and communication. I learned how to write essays, take part in discussions, and express my opinions clearly - skills that are essential for university life.”

Reflecting on receiving her offer, Oksana says: “When I received my offer, I felt incredible happiness - it was the university of my dreams! One of our ESOL excursions was actually a trip to the University of Sussex, and that experience gave me a clear goal to work toward. In my home country, Ukraine, it’s not very common for adults to go back to education, so I was really inspired by how many people of different ages study at university in the UK. It showed me that it’s never too late to learn and grow.

“I’ve chosen to study Business Management and Economics because my husband and I ran our own interior design and furnishing business in Ukraine for more than 25 years. Now, I want to understand the UK system more deeply through academic study and use that knowledge in my future career.”

Oksana is also passionate about encouraging other international students to follow in her footsteps.

“I would definitely recommend it to all my friends! The ESOL programme gives you confidence, helps you improve your English quickly, and opens doors to education and work in the UK. It’s not just about language - it’s about building a new life and believing in yourself.”

Looking ahead, Oksana is excited to continue developing herself and building a career that combines her business experience with her new academic skills.

“My goal is to continue developing myself and to build a career that combines knowledge, creativity, and personal growth,” says Oksana. “I want to use my business experience and new academic skills to create something meaningful and inspiring - just as my time at East Sussex College inspired me.”

Oksana’s journey is a fantastic example of where ESOL studies can lead - from learning English to gaining a place at university and building a bright future in the UK.

The College wishes Oksana every success in her studies at the University of Sussex and looks forward to hearing about all her future achievements.

If you’re interested in studying ESOL at East Sussex College, find out more about our English language courses here.