Arriving in the UK from Ukraine, Antonina had to quickly adapt to a new education system, culture and way of life. With support from KAA and the Aldridge Foundation’s Next Steps Bursary, she has gone on to study BSc Computer Science with a year in industry, while gaining hands-on experience through internships, hackathons and international tech events. Here, she reflects on her journey from school to university, the challenges she has overcome, and how the bursary has helped her build confidence and pursue opportunities in the tech industry.

I came to the UK from Ukraine, so adapting to a completely different education system and way of life was quite challenging at first. Back home the system works very differently. You usually finish school after 11 years and go straight to university, and we study all subjects until the final year, unlike the UK system where you specialise earlier. It was a bit of a cultural shock at first. When I arrived in London, I wasn’t sure what the right path was for me. I had to figure out whether I should continue in school, find a foundation course, or pursue university, and what subject I should focus on.

KAA supported me from the very beginning of that journey. The school gave me guidance while I was trying to understand how the UK system works and what path I wanted to take. I had originally chosen humanities in the summer, but right before starting school I changed my mind and switched to maths, further maths, computer science, and Chinese, which I was very glad to study at Godolphin and Latymer School, an amazing partner of KAA. It was very interesting to get exposure to the UK school system through two schools at the same time.

What meant the most to me, though, was the people. My cohort became very close to me and helped me feel less alone during a time that could have been quite overwhelming. Even now, I’m still in touch with many of them. The teachers were also an incredible source of support, not just academically but personally as well. They cared about our growth as people and were always there to offer encouragement and reassurance when things felt uncertain. I’m genuinely very grateful for the way they treated me, and I still think about the support and care they gave.

As I began thinking about my future, I knew that if I wanted to build a career in tech, gaining practical experience early would be essential. Many of the opportunities that help students build that experience, such as hackathons, learning platforms, events, and internships, often come with costs for tools and subscriptions.

The Aldridge Next Steps Bursary felt like a programme that could support me in exploring new opportunities and experimenting with different directions as I grew in my career. The application process itself was something I actually enjoyed. I really enjoy interviews, so I found the process genuinely fun. It was a great opportunity to talk about my interests and ambitions, and the team made the whole experience very pleasant and welcoming.

When I found out that I had been awarded the bursary, I felt happy and proud. I am quite a competitive person, so getting something I applied and interviewed for felt rewarding. It also gave me confidence that other people believed in my potential and supported the direction I wanted to take. It reinforced the idea that if I keep putting myself forward for things and working hard, new opportunities will continue to open up.

In terms of my day-to-day university life, the bursary has also helped me a lot with the tools and opportunities that support my work. Most of my time is spent studying, building tech projects and contributing to startups through internship placements. I regularly participate in hackathons, and so far my teams and I have won four of them. I even had the chance to be sponsored by JetBrains to travel to Finland to compete in Europe’s largest AI hackathon where my team placed second. Subscriptions to development tools and resources are a big part of how I work and build projects, so having support with those costs has made a difference in helping me stay productive and continue learning. It has also given me the flexibility to invest in tools that help me work more efficiently. 

The support from the bursary programme has given me the freedom to focus on building, which is something I genuinely enjoy. Through the opportunities I’ve been able to pursue, I’ve gained practical experience that I can now show on my CV and talk about in interviews.

Alongside the financial support, the regular check-ins and meet-ups organised by the Aldridge Foundation have been valuable. It has been reassuring to know that there are people genuinely interested in how things are going and willing to offer support when needed.  I’m especially grateful to Rachel and Jen, who have been incredibly supportive throughout my time at university. Having someone to talk to about progress, challenges, and next steps has meant a lot.

Moving from school to university is a big transition, but the Next Steps programme helped by giving me reassurance that I had support if I needed it.  I’ve always been quite an independent person, even since school, and I’m used to figuring things out on my own. However, it is still very comforting to know that there are people I can turn to if something doesn’t go the way I hoped or if I need advice. Having that network of support through the programme made the transition to university feel much less overwhelming.

The Aldridge Attributes that resonate with me the most are Determination and Risk-taking. They have definitely helped me navigate these challenges. I tend to push myself to try new opportunities even if they seem difficult at first, and I keep going even when things get busy or uncertain. One mindset that has really helped me is the idea that if I don’t try something, someone else will. Because of that, I tend to take opportunities whenever they appear rather than waiting until I feel completely ready.

I’ve also learned the importance of having the confidence, or even the audacity, to ask for things. I once heard in an interview that having five “no’s” per week actually means you’re having a pretty amazing week. It’s not about rejection. It’s about putting yourself out there, asking for opportunities, and being willing to try. That mindset has led me to experiences I never expected, including recently moderating a panel at Google and judging a hackathon.

Since I’m building my life and career in the UK on my own, I’ve also learned how important it is to build a strong network. While the phrase may sound cliché, network really is our net worth. I attend events, meet people, stay in touch, and stay curious. Over time those connections grow into a supportive community of people I often see again at events, panels I moderate, and hackathons.

One thing I would tell a student starting now is that people genuinely want to help young people who are curious and motivated. Being young is actually a big advantage, so make the most of it while also being respectful and grateful for the support you receive. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people, ask questions, and apply for opportunities even if you’re not sure you’re ready yet.

Looking back, I do think my route to university and into the tech field would have been different without the bursary. I would say that support like this is a valuable resource and a great way to connect with a wider network. It can open doors to opportunities, events, and people who can support your development and help you explore different paths.