When sixteen-year-old Anhelina arrived in the UK for her homestay English course, she was quiet and understandably overwhelmed. A month later she left laughing, more confident and excited for the future.
Her place was funded through our partnership with Brightseeds Education, who support Ukrainian children affected by the war. Living Learning English was proud to welcome her into one of our homestay programmes with experienced teacher Caroline.
Settling into life in the UK
Anhelina arriving in London and being welcomed with sunflowers, a Ukrainian symbol of peace and resilience.
Caroline remembers the first days clearly:
“She was incredibly shy when she arrived. We just gave her the space to feel safe and at home.”
Sharing the course with other students created an immediate support network. One of them, Sandra, quickly became a close friend, helping Anhelina relax and settle into everyday life in the UK.
Anhelina and Sandra holding the Ukrainian and Spanish flags together inside their host family’s home.
Learning, confidence and connection
Daily lessons were combined with family meals, exploring the local area and spending time with Caroline’s granddaughter Annie – moments that helped Anhelina feel at home and part of family life.
Anhelina and Sandra standing with Caroline’s granddaughter Annie in the kitchen.
As the weeks went by, Caroline saw a remarkable change:
“By the end of the month, she was joking at the dinner table. Her mum told her she looked happier than she had in a very long time.”
Looking ahead
For Anhelina, learning English is a step towards her dream of becoming a pilot – a goal she still holds close to her heart. Her time in the UK gave her confidence in both her English and her future.
Her mother shared:
“To say that my child is happy is simply not enough. She shines like a bright star in the sky!”
Our shared mission with Brightseeds
Living Learning English is honoured to work with Brightseeds Education to create opportunities like this for young people who have faced extraordinary challenges.
Read the full version of Anhelina’s story on Brightseeds’ website →
