Lyse Ashelford, a mother of six from Chichester, is celebrating her remarkable progress. After arriving in the UK in 2017 unable to speak English, she has worked her way through college and university and is now graduating with a 2:1 in Adult Nursing. We spoke to Lyse about her journey, challenges, and future ambitions.
Hi Lyse, can you tell us about your background?
I’m originally from Burundi, although I grew up in Rwanda. I moved to the UK in 2017. My first languages are Kirundi, Swahili and French, so when I arrived, I couldn’t speak any English at all.
It was very difficult at the beginning. When I took my children to school, I struggled to understand what the teachers were saying about them. I felt confused and even thought about going back home because of the language barrier. Sometimes I felt like people thought I was uneducated, and I just wanted to hide.
How did you begin your education journey in the UK?
I started by enrolling in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) at college. After completing one year, I realised I wanted to study more. At first, I believed you had to be extremely clever to go to university, but I decided to push myself.
I progressed to pre-GCSE courses in maths and English, then completed my GCSEs at Chichester College. I am dyslexic, so that brought additional challenges, but I didn’t give up. I would often wait until 10pm, when my children were in bed, to begin studying.
After that, I took science GCSEs and completed an Access course, which gave me the pathway to university. Moving on from college to start at university was daunting, but that was the turning point for me to begin studying for a real career.
What inspired you to pursue a career in nursing?
I had always been interested in nursing, but growing up I had limited opportunities, and the pathway for education and career progression was very different. Nursing was always something I wanted to do because I have a passion for caring for people and giving back to the community. When I finally had the opportunity to study nursing in the UK, I knew I had to take it. It was not only a chance to follow my dream, but also a chance to grow, build my confidence, and create a better future for myself, my family, and make a positive contribution to the community. The university has been really supportive in helping me integrate into the community by becoming a nurse.
Why did you choose the University of Chichester?
I really liked that the smaller cohort size meant lecturers could give more one-to-one support, which was very important to me.
Have you enjoyed your time at university? What stands out as a highlight?
I’ve had an amazing experience. The support from the lecturers has been incredible. One moment that really stands out is when I lost my mum. The level of care and understanding from my lecturers meant so much to me, and the one-to-one support made sure I stayed on track.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m planning to go into community nursing. I want to work closely with patients, especially those who may not have family nearby. Community work allows you to spend more time with people and really talk to them and understand their needs.
I’ve also applied for a Master’s degree in Global Health, which I hope to study part-time alongside working. I want to continue learning and developing my knowledge.
How did it feel to complete your degree?
I’m very proud. I achieved 86% in my dissertation, and I remember screaming because I was so happy – I couldn’t believe it!
What advice would you give to other students?
Be determined and motivated, push yourself to aim higher. It’s a challenging course, but if you know what you want, you can achieve it. And don’t keep quiet if you’re struggling, ask for help. There is always support available.
For more information about health degrees at the University of Chichester, go to www.chi.ac.uk/health.