"My journey from volunteering to pursuing higher education has taught me the power of resilience and giving back"

Today in Refugee Week, we hear from Aanisha: 

“My name is Aanisha, and I am from Sri Lanka. I have been living in the UK for two years, currently pursuing my degree in Geography and Environmental Science at Kings College London on a Sanctuary Scholarship with my second year beginning in September 2025.

As an asylum seeker, I wanted to use my time meaningfully rather than staying idle, so I chose to volunteer at a charity shop in my local town. This role allows me to contribute to the community, improve my English, and connect with people from diverse backgrounds, all while gaining valuable skills in teamwork, communication, and customer service.  
 
Looking ahead, I aspire to become a  geography teacher, where I can inspire students to explore the world with curiosity and critical thinking.

To prepare, I plan to seek teaching placements, further develop my subject knowledge, and engage in education focused training.

My journey from volunteering to pursuing higher education has taught me the power of resilience and giving back, and I hope to carry these values into my future career.”

Thank you for your inspiring words Aanisha, and we wish you well in your studies.  We were pleased to work with Stevenage Community Trust to provide you with a laptop to continue your studies outside of university at the hotel.