Natalia Yasser

When Natalia Yasser first arrived in the UK, she didn’t speak English and never expected to stay long-term. Looking after her young daughter and adjusting to a new country, she felt uncertain, isolated due to the language barrier, and hesitant about studying. But living just around the corner from RHACC, she eventually enrolled on a Pre-Entry ESOL course; a decision that would change everything. 

Natalia remembers initially feeling overwhelmed by London life, unable to communicate confidently even in everyday situations. But from her very first visit, the staff at RHACC made her feel welcome. The learner Services team were patient, supportive, and understanding. “It felt like home,” Natalia recalls. “Everyone tried to understand me. I felt safe and confident here.” 

With that encouragement, she continued progressing through ESOL – from pre-Entry all the way to Level 2. By the time she reached higher levels, she had not only grown in her English skills but also rediscovered her confidence and sense of direction. An Information, Advice & Guidance session with Lee Barbieri and Annamaria Papini helped her explore next steps, and they suggested she consider bookkeeping. 

Natalia enrolled on the Bookkeeping course, and soon after applied for a volunteering role in the Finance department, where she could practise her skills while studying. “I really wanted to work here,” she says. “RHACC was like my second home.” 

When a vacancy opened in Learner Services, Natalia applied and joined the team, initially supporting the bursary process and helping other learners navigate the college just as she once had. Later, an opportunity came up in the Finance department and she successfully moved into the role she had hoped for. 

Today, Natalia is RHACC’s Purchase Ledger Officer, working in the same college that helped her build a new life in the UK. Her journey shows how transformative education, encouragement, and community can be – and how a single ESOL class can open the door to a whole new future.