I was born in Estonia in a small town called Narva, back when it was still part of the Soviet Union. I grew up in a small flat with my mother and grandparents with three generations under one roof. We didn’t have much, but I had a happy childhood. My grandparents were strong, hard-working people. They both held senior roles in the local manufacturing industry, and they carried themselves with discipline and pride. They were strict, but they taught me the value of perseverance and integrity.

My mother was a little different from my grandparents. She had moved to Estonia when she was young, and her outlook was more open, more westernised. Looking back, I think that mix of traditional and modern values shaped who I am today. I often find it hard to define my identity. I’m not quite Russian, not quite Estonian, and now, after living in the UK for over half my life, perhaps I’m just a citizen of the world.

One of my fondest memories of growing up in Estonia was spending summers at our dacha, a small family house by the Baltic Sea. We’d go there every year, and it was only a short walk to the water. Even now, the smell of the sea air reminds me of those summers.

When I finished school, my mother encouraged me to continue studying. She’d always been my biggest supporter. In 2005, I came to England for the first time to visit my cousin in London. I was mesmerised by the scale of the city, the architecture, the energy. I worked a summer job at a cinema in Kensington and knew I wanted to come back.

Soon after, I was recruited to study biomedical science, but life didn’t go to plan. I ran out of money less than a year in and had to leave the course. I went back to working in the cinema often starting at three in the morning and returning late at night. Sometimes I couldn’t afford the train home, so I’d stay overnight at the station. I couldn’t even afford a proper bed, just a mattress on the floor.

It was a tough time, but I didn’t give up. I reapplied to university the following year and was accepted to study biology in Sheffield. Those years in Sheffield were hard work but transformative. I fell in love with the British landscape, the green hills of the Peak District, the forests and fields that reminded me of home. I spent my spare time volunteering with conservation groups, and that’s what really sparked my passion for nature and the environment.

After graduating, I struggled to find work in my field. A friend suggested I look into healthcare, and that’s how I discovered the role of Operating Department Practitioner. The course was paid, and it offered a bursary. What began as a practical decision turned into a career that’s now spanned more than a decade. I’ve worked in hospitals across London, met my wife through the job, and started a family.

But that love of nature never left me. As my son grew older and started school, I began to think about how I could bring that passion back into my life. That’s when I discovered landscape architecture, a discipline that combines science, art, and environmental impact. It felt like the perfect fit.

I applied to a few universities, but the University of East London stood out. When I visited the campus for an open day, it just felt right. I brought my son along, and everyone was so welcoming. The course leader showed us around, talked me through the programme, and even gave my son some toys to play with. The campus had this community feel, a small world of its own, and I could see myself belonging there.

Receiving the postgraduate scholarship was an incredible moment. I hadn’t expected to get it, but when I did, it changed everything. It meant I didn’t need to take on as many work hours, so I could properly focus on my studies. 

This course has already opened my eyes to new possibilities. It’s challenging but rewarding, and I can see how landscape architecture can make a real difference in the world whether that’s through sustainable design, public spaces, or helping communities reconnect with nature.

My hope is that once I finish, I’ll be able to work in the field maybe with a firm, maybe in the public sector and start contributing to the change I want to see. I want to make a positive impact, one project at a time. Whether it’s a park, a playground, or an urban green space, I want to help shape environments that improve people’s lives and protect the planet.

Aleksei Sedov 

MA Professional Landscape Architecture