I’m originally from a small city in Slovakia and I used to visit my auntie who lived in London. Eventually, my mother and I took the opportunity to come live in London. It wasn’t an easy journey as my mother, and I came to London alone. I remember the language barrier being a massive challenge for me as I knew barely any English before moving to London. Due to this, it took 3-4 years to learn the English language. Although I have been separated from my family I still keep in contact with them. After a few years of Mum and I living in London, my brothers came along too. 

Growing up with a single mum and seeing all the incredible sacrifices she made to raise me is a massive source of inspiration for me to progress in my education so that I can give back to my family for everything they’ve done for me. In college, I was not doing well with grades but with the help from my mum, I managed to get higher grades. Also, throughout college, I have learned how to manage my time as well as other important life skills. By the end of college, I reached the grade needed to attend university with a scholarship. 

To anyone facing adversities in achieving their educational or career goals, don’t dwell on missed opportunities. Pursue what you're passionate about and seize those chances, as they may not come again. Don’t just stay within the classroom and use your free time to continue developing yourself. I always tried to embrace every opportunity that came my way. Even when it felt challenging, I committed myself to aviation-related pursuits. I engaged in airport visits and took part in training programmes with Boeing. I even did extra work to aid teachers and contribute research for the upcoming students. I was one of the first fifty students to do the course which allowed me to attend university.