Starting a New Chapter

Bringing Experience Forward and Building a Future in the UK

Starting again does not mean starting from nothing.

After studying at university and serving as an officer in Afghanistan, this learner and their family had to leave their country. Their story is about bringing existing knowledge, leadership and experience into a new chapter, with education and English helping to create new opportunities.

“This isn't about starting from nothing. It's about starting a new chapter with everything I've already learned behind me.”

My Story

Before coming to the UK, I had already experienced a lot in my life.

I studied Law and Political Science at Kabul University.

I also completed military training and served as an officer in Afghanistan from 2010 until 2021. During the final three years, I led a team of 30 officers analysing military and security reports.

I had responsibility.

I had education.

I had a career.

Then Afghanistan fell.

My family and I had to leave our country.

We spent two and a half years living in Pakistan waiting for the opportunity to come to the UK.

Even during that difficult period, education remained important to me.

There were Afghan refugee children who had missed school because of everything that had happened.

I taught them.

For me, it was an honour because I believe education can change people's lives.

Eventually, after two and a half years of waiting, my family and I arrived in the UK.

It was one of the happiest and most important days of my life.

But arriving here also meant beginning again.

I decided that this would be a new chapter.

I would work hard, learn and build a better future for myself and my family.

English is an important part of that.

I already have qualifications, professional experience and leadership skills. But being able to communicate confidently in English helps me use those things in a completely new environment.

That's why ESOL matters to me.

At EMBS, I've experienced teachers who are kind and supportive but also highly skilled. Good teaching makes learning enjoyable as well as helping you progress.

I've also felt respected.

That matters.

When someone arrives in a new country, they don't arrive without a past.

They bring knowledge, experiences, responsibilities, strengths and ambitions with them.

Sometimes they just need the opportunity to use those things again.

My ambition isn't simply to settle in Britain.

I want to contribute.

I hope that the knowledge and skills I already have, alongside what I'm learning now, will allow me to make a positive contribution to British society.

I've already had one career and one life interrupted.

Education is helping me begin another.

This isn't about starting from nothing.

It's about starting a new chapter with everything I've already learned behind me.