Hadi, originally from Syria, had been studying Accounting at Damascus University when the outbreak of war in forced him to leave his studies and his home behind.
Looking to rebuild, Hadi heard about the college through friends and community connections. “People spoke very highly of it. They told me it was one of the best colleges in Scotland.”
Hoping to restart his education and integrate into his new home, Hadi enrolled in the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) course.
His time at the College would prove transformative. “My experience was excellent. I learned English, met wonderful teachers and gained the confidence I needed to live and work in Glasgow.”
Two of his ESOL lecturers made a lasting impact. “Rosie gave me a lot of advice. Over the years, we’ve become close friends, and I’ll always be grateful to her.”
“And Pam, she was the one who helped me get a work placement in the Accounting department. That opportunity directly led to my current job.”
Learning a new language came with challenges, but Hadi faced them head-on. “It wasn’t easy, but I studied hard and took every chance to improve. Working in different jobs really helped me build my speaking skills and confidence.”
That hard work paid off. After completing the ESOL course, Hadi progressed to an HNC in Accounting at the college. “The college taught me how to write essays, give presentations, and prepare for further study,” he says. “It really felt like home.”
Eventually, he went on to finish university, an achievement that took almost a decade of perseverance while working full-time. “I’m most proud of graduating from university after nine years. Everything started at City of Glasgow College. That foundation made it possible.”
Looking ahead, Hadi hopes to pursue a Master’s degree and one day give back to the college that gave him so much. “I always tell my friends: the road to success starts at City of Glasgow College. That’s exactly what happened to me.”Â
Â