Nadia is the daughter of a Somalian refugee and was raised in Leyton, one of East London’s most deprived communities. However, she says her community instilled in her a great work ethic. She is also grateful to her English teacher for her encouragement, helping her with the application to Marlborough as her mother’s English wasn’t as strong.
When Nadia walked into Court for the first time, she admits to having felt somewhat daunted and intimidated. She had arrived with her English teacher to sit her assessments and was offered a place on a full bursary.
In the two years at Marlborough Nadia excelled, securing a place at Trinity, Oxford to read French. “The teachers at Marlborough were amazing. You could always go to them for advice, they would go the extra mile. The support from Guidance and the French department for my Oxford application was incredible. Mr Brown started preparing us from May so even though I was nervous when I went for the interview, I knew I was really prepared. I am loving Oxford and I owe that to Marlborough.”
As well as her studies, Nadia is already giving back as a Project Officer for the Oxford Development Consultancy, a student-run body that provides consulting services to development institutions in less developed economies. In her first year she volunteered with Oxford Hub, a centre for social change.
