South African student achieves despite setbacks

Amina Meera

Amina Meera is 19 years old and lives in Rochdale. She has only been in the country for two years, having been born in South Africa.

She moved to UK two years ago to study business and enrolled at Hopwood Hall College in Rochdale last September for a BTEC National Diploma in Business.

Despite being 17 years old when she started her studies in the UK, she found that she had to start with a lower level course (equivalent to GCSEs), because South African qualifications didn’t meet the higher standards required in the UK.

However, Amina didn’t let this setback deter her from succeeding, she says, “The highlight of my two year stay in the United Kingdom has been my College life, in which I have had such a lot of support and motivation from the teachers at the College.

My goal is to go to university as soon as my course at Hopwood Hall College is completed and I wish to get myself involved in business, perhaps in marketing and human resources. With the experience and practice I have got from the College, I believe that I am completely ready to take the challenge.”

The College has belief in Amina too, as at the end of her first year, she has achieved distinctions throughout. If she continues getting distinctions next second year, she will achieve the highest number of UCAS points possible, which will allow her access into some of the most sought-after courses within the UK’s top universities.

Her tutor Elaine Morley describes Amina as “an outstanding student who has excelled across the board.

She has been an excellent role model to her peers. Her presentation skills and report writing have been flawless, achieving distinctions in all of her assignments. I am sure she will excel in her chosen career.”