A Ukrainian student who fled her war-torn home for St Albans has celebrated a stellar set of A-level results that have earnt her at a place at a top university.
While exams are a challenging time for any student, 19-year-old Daria Stetsenko has had it harder than most.
In February 2022, Daria's world was turned upside down when her hometown of Bucha became one of the worst hit areas in Russia's initial invasion of Ukraine.
Forced to flee home, she moved to the UK, fulfilling a long-held dream in unexpected circumstances.
She explains: "My mum lived in the UK in her 20s so it was actually always a big dream of mine to come here and study one day."
In May 2022, Daria and her mum came to St Albans, moving in with a sponsor family.
Of her adopted city, she says: "I love living in St Albans, I'm obsessed with this city. The school and the area, it's just so lovely."
Earlier this year, she took her A-levels at St Albans High School for Girls (STAH) and has now secured a place at King's College London to study psychology.
She said: "It was really stressful because you never know when you come out of the exam how well you've done.
"I was so proud of my grades, especially having been graded at the same level as native speakers when I've been studying in my third language."
Despite her A* in psychology and A in music, it is a B in English Literature of which she is most proud, having spoken only conversational English when she came to Hertfordshire two years ago.
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On her choice of degree she says: "When I started studying psychology I knew straight away that this is what I wanted to study at university. It is so fascinating and I'm very excited to start."
STAH Principal Amber Waite said: “Daria’s achievements are remarkable, and we are so proud that STAHS has been able to support her after the difficult circumstances of her move to the UK.
"Working in English, her third language, she achieved an outstanding set of A-level results.
"Aside from academics, from her first days at STAHS Daria threw herself into school life, notably performing in numerous theatre productions and concerts.
"She will always be a very special part of our alumni community, and we wish her the very best of luck as she takes up her place at King’s College London to read psychology.”
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