DCG Success Stories

Doctor Maria Mazur came to the East Midlands with her two young children in 2022 to escape the war in Ukraine. 

Now living in Long Eaton, the 39-year-old is learning English at Derby College Group’s Ilkeston College and is returning there in September to continue her course.  

Her husband, who is a manager back home, joined her in the UK two months ago and is now working at a local car factory.  

Maria said: “I learned some English at primary school in Ukraine but only speak it a little bit so I enrolled on the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) beginners course at Ilkeston College. 

I like learning English there. My teacher Liliana is amazing – she is so professional, intelligent and understanding and she is flexible.

“There are about 10 Ukrainian people on my course.”  

Maria, who still has family in Ukraine, knew nobody when she first came to England. 

Maria added: “My host – my sponsor is the first person I met here and she is wonderful. She is so  good and kind. I’ve since made a lot more friends.  

“I have just come back from a scout camp with the children which was good although it rained and rained!”