NC Landscape Design and Construction student Larysa shares her story.

Case study: Larysa's journey from working as an administrator in Ukraine to studying Horticulture at Glasgow Clyde College

I had a degree in journalism, but it so happened that most of my working life I worked in the civil service or in energy companies in administrative positions in Ukraine.

The war in Ukraine inspired me to return to education. My family and I found ourselves under occupation at the beginning of a full-scale invasion. I had never made such sharp turns in my life. Like most people in this world, I longed for stability and peace. But along with my son, I found myself far outside my country with no money, no clothes and shoes, no familiar things around me, no family and friends. After a few months of my stay in Scotland, in Glasgow, I went to work as a cleaner in a hotel. I did well, but I realised that such work would not help me learn the language and develop as a person. A year later I received an invitation to a language course at college and successfully passed the exams. I had to decide which path to choose for the next year. I was sure that I would achieve greater success in learning the language if I used it while studying a specific subject. 

From the first days of my stay in Glasgow, and in Scotland in general, I fell in love with the local nature and local parks. I wanted to work in the Glasgow Botanical Garden, but I couldn’t even ask about a vacancy, because I didn’t speak English at all. I had always worked on my parent’s land in Ukraine, but I didn’t want to continue to follow the old methods of farming. I wanted to add something new, but I wasn’t allowed. For many years I had developed a passion for gardening and hoped to study this. 

Glasgow Clyde College became my second passion. I started on the NQ Introduction to Horticulture with Landscaping Level 4 course. I gained self-confidence, because I understood exactly why I was here. I really enjoyed all my classes, and my teachers and lecturers. My class are all friendly too which contributed to my morale. I was, and still am interested in any learning process, if I get new skills and get to know myself. I am sure that studying at the college will help me choose a profession in which I will get the most satisfaction. For example, I realised that paving garden tiles, which will decorate the garden for many years, is more interesting to me, unlike growing vegetables that slugs eat in an instant.

I have always loved to study. I read a lot of paper books but, now everything has become more complicated, because I have to read in English, so it takes a bit longer. But I don't lose hope. In three years, I have already accumulated a huge library on arranging a garden and a personal plot. In this course, I expanded my library, because new subjects have been added, and I want to cover everything.

The only real challenge for me was, and still is, the language issue. But, despite everything, I try to make incredible efforts to master the language, without which I will not be able to move on. I spend at least 5 hours every day reading and watching educational programmes in English. This year, on the NC Landscape Design and Construction Level 5 course, I have a more serious challenge than last year, because I need to speak much more and process more educational material. It is not easy for me.

Outside of college I volunteer in the Hidden Gardens and I help maintain the garden of a church near to where I live. They have a small area with bushes and a lawn. The priests who live there allowed me to look after their garden and I am designing a flower bed there. I have few means and resources to buy plants and materials for flower beds, so it takes some time. But I am gradually developing a garden concept and implementing it. I am waiting for the right opportunity to buy conifers and lavender and rosemary bushes for the best composition, and I also plan to make a fern garden there. 

In the future, once I have finished my studies, I will hopefully work for a complany that designs and maintains gardens or in parks.