When Tanya Prokopenko and her family arrived in Lisburn from Ukraine, learning the language was one of their biggest challenges. While attending English classes at a church in Ballynahinch, they met a SERC tutor who introduced them to the college’s ESOL programme.
“That’s how we discovered the college, and my husband, my eldest son, and I all decided to enrol together. I had also found that my existing qualifications were not always accepted when I was looking for work, so I needed something more than language lessons.”
What began as a route to confident communication became a pathway to personal development and new career plans. After successfully completing her ESOL studies, Tanya, who is 44, progressed onto the Restart course for adults returning to education, and is now continuing her learning journey through the Level 3 Access Diploma in Foundation Studies (Access) programme.
Looking back, she speaks warmly about the support she has received throughout her time at SERC.
“I really enjoy the welcoming and friendly atmosphere. The tutors are amazing and always ready to help. I would rate my experience as 10 out of 10.”
Through her courses, Tanya has studied a wide range of subjects including Science, Psychology, Maths and ICT. She particularly enjoys the real-life learning delivered at SERC:
“In our science class, we did an experiment called ‘Which crisps have the most energy?’ In psychology, we recently studied research ethics, looking into the rules of conducting experiments on humans. It was really interesting.”
Tanya found work as a care assistant which would allow her to continue studying. Today, she is focused on completing her Access course while preparing to take GCSEs in Maths and English, with the aim of eventually achieving a nursing degree. She is confident that she has found the right place to start:
“SERC feels like a big family. It’s a place where you can start from zero and achieve goals you never thought were possible. The college provides a clear path from basic English to qualifications that actually matter here.”
When asked what advice she would give to others considering a similar journey, Tanya’s answer is simple: “Don’t let fear hold you back. Starting over in a new country, especially when you are older, is incredibly stressful and far from easy. There are days when you want to give up because of the language barrier or pure tiredness. My own journey proves that hard work pays off and you can achieve your goals.”
Apply now for part-time courses commencing September 2026.
