Samia continues her studies through pregnancy
After moving to the UK from Sudan, Samia set herself an ambitious goal: to improve her English, complete her qualifications and progress to university within two years.
Samia joined Leicester College in 2024 after friends recommended it as the best place to continue her education. She initially studied an intermediate ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) course before progressing to Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications in English reading and writing, as well as maths.
Despite studying whilst pregnant and being separated from her family in Sudan, Samia remained committed to achieving her goals.
Building a new life through education
Before coming to the UK, Samia completed a degree in agriculture in Sudan. She grew up in a small village where most residents worked as farmers, which inspired her interest in the subject. She also had a successful business giving agriculture advice to farmers, for which she also secured funding.
After arriving in Leicester, improving her English became an important step towards rebuilding her life and continuing her education.
Samia comments: “When I started, I gave myself the goal of completing my courses within two years and then progressing to university. It was difficult because I was pregnant and all of my family were back home, but I wanted to continue with my studies.”
Choosing Leicester College
Samia first heard about Leicester College through friends who had recommended it to her.
“My friends told me Leicester College was the best option, so I joined in 2023,” she explains.
The ESOL curriculum helped Samia develop the language skills she needed to communicate more confidently and become more involved in her local community.
She says: “The curriculum is very suitable for people who do not speak English. It helps you to improve step by step and gives you the skills you need to become part of the community.”
Encouraging other women
Samia regularly encourages other Sudanese women to consider studying ESOL at Leicester College.
“I always tell Sudanese women to go to Leicester College. If you want to integrate into society, you must learn the language. Learning English gives you more confidence and more opportunities.”
For Samia, education is not only about gaining qualifications. It is also a way for women to become more independent, understand their rights and have a stronger voice within society.
She is particularly passionate about supporting women and advocating for female rights. She is currently working as a Support Worker Volunteer at Afro Innovation Group Charity in Leicester city centre, where she provides practical and emotional support to individuals and families in the community.
Overcoming challenges
Continuing her education whilst pregnant and living away from her family was not easy, but Samia remained focused on the future she wanted to create.
Her determination allowed her to progress through several levels of study and continue working towards her goal of studying at university.
Looking ahead
Samia hopes to continue her studies by progressing onto university and use her experiences to support other women and refugees.
She says: “I would like to work with refugee women and help them understand their rights and the opportunities available to them.”
If the situation in Sudan improves, Samia would also like to return home and continue developing her business.
Whatever path she takes, she hopes to use her education, experience and passion for women’s rights to make a positive difference in the lives of others.