Vida

Before coming to settle in the UK Vida already had the experience of settling in a new country after she left her home country Ghana to relocate to Italy.

In Ghana, she had studied to become a Secretary but at the age of 26, she and her husband decided to pursue a better life in Europe. They settled in the north of Italy and both began working, for Vida firstly as a cleaner and later as a childcare worker, after she had her own four children. Having found her passion for working with children Vida wanted to further her career by studying childcare but found it too expensive to do so in Italy.

After 15 years of living and raising their family in Italy, she suggested to her husband that the UK may be able to provide better job and study opportunities for them, so in 2014 he moved to the UK to put preparations in place for their new life. Vida and their children joined him nine months later. It was not only a new culture for the family to get used to, but everyone had to learn English as well. The children settled into new schools and Vida began to study English and Maths (Skills for Life) to be accepted onto a childcare course.

During their time in the UK, the family decided it was where they wanted to stay so began to enquire about applying for British Citizenship. It was Vida’s course leader that directed her to Trinity SELT for her Secure English Language Test (SELT) that she needed to take as part of her UK visa application.

“On the day of the exam, I was so nervous that I arrived at the test centre and realised I had forgotten my ID so needed to go back and get it! The centre staff were so helpful and were able to rearrange the time of my test and when I began the test I had to explain to the examiner why I was so nervous. She told me to try and relax and just do my best."

“I passed my test and I was so pleased with her advice. I would say to anyone that Trinity is great. Never give up, and always make an effort to learn now and in the future. The exam not only helps you get your citizenship but the preparation helps you to learn better English and that helps you to integrate into your new community."

Vida is now realising her dream as she is undertaking a Level 3 childcare qualification and apprenticeship and is extremely proud that her eldest child, who had to repeat a year of school on arrival in the UK, is now halfway through their medical school training.

“On the day of the exam, I was so nervous that I arrived at the test centre and realised I had forgotten my ID so needed to go back and get it! The centre staff were so helpful and were able to rearrange the time of my test and when I began the test I had to explain to the examiner why I was so nervous. She told me to try and relax and just do my best."

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