An inspirational Chester University student has overcome a series of challenges to discover her passion for education.

Oliwia Paluszewicz moved from Poland to the UK at age 14 with limited knowledge of English and the UK school system.

Despite this significant challenge, Ms Paluszewicz, who is soon to graduate, achieved the highest mark in her BA (Hons) Early Childhood year.

She had to quickly learn English for her GCSEs to achieve the grades required to enrol on a level 3 Diploma in Early Childhood Education.

This success cleared her way to the university, where she began her degree in September 2021.

She has got high grades throughout all her modules and has even scored the highest mark in her cohort for Graduate Practitioner Competencies.

She is now going onto study a Master’s degree in Education, Society, and Globalisation at Chester.

Ms Paluszewicz said after arriving in the UK as a teenager with limited knowledge of English, she struggled to "overcome the barrier for the next two years before I finally began to communicate in English.

"Even in my first year at University I was reluctant to participate in long conversations with my peers and tutors."

Her interest and growing passion for children, childhood, and communities led her to enrol on the full-time MA Education, Society and Globalisation programme at the University.

She said: "What I liked the most about the course was how the different modules allowed me to explore education through a variety of different perspectives.

"The hands-on approach to learning gave me an amazing opportunity to develop my professional skills and achieve a Graduated Practitioner Competencies Certificate."

Jeanette Bell, programme leader, said: "Oliwia is an outstanding graduate of the BA Early Childhood Studies, and an excellent advocate for young children and their families.

"She is a superb ambassador for the early childhood specialism."

Her dissertation supervisor and programme leader, Dr Paula Hamilton, added: "Oliwia is a remarkable young woman, who signifies what can be achieved with hard work, enthusiasm and a positive working relationship with tutors.

"I am delighted she has decided to join MA Education, Society and Globalisation and very much look forward to continuing to observe and support her educational journey."