Yousra’s story

Yousra is a law student and physics tutor who had to flee her home in Syria because of the war. Here, she shares her story with us about the challenges she’s faced, the unexpected surprises, and how doing NCS helped her build her confidence.  

Hi Yousra, could you share a little bit about how you came to be living in Newcastle?
My family and I fled from Syria two years after the war began. We lived in Jordan for around four years and then we moved to Newcastle at the end of 2015. The war in Syria was going on for much longer than we expected and although Jordan was a lovely place, my father couldn’t see a future for us there, so he decided it was best for us to come to England. We’ve settled in Newcastle... I believe I was lucky in my journey to the UK because I came here with the support of the UNHCR, so I flew on a plane which is a safe way to travel —  I know many people have to face far more challenging journeys.

What do you miss most about living in Syria?
I do miss Syria because it’s where I was born. I have family and friends and memories there. The weather there is also something I miss massively!

Have there been interesting learnings in moving to a new country?  
I did gain many experiences when I came here, and I think the most important one is knowing that it’s never shameful to get stuff wrong. I’ve really learned to be patient. 

Which things have felt most challenging?
It was very hard moving to the UK knowing no English at all, and learning the language was a very obvious challenge. I knew that I would struggle with it, and I did at first. But then I took the chance to learn it, and I soon gained an important new language. 

It was also hard knowing no one at all except my family. I felt very lonely and sometimes I felt I couldn’t express my feelings because I lacked English knowledge. Also, I found many things different, like the buses, getting a bank account, the school system, and the lifestyle in general. However, I started to meet many friends from school, and my teachers and support workers have helped me to settle and adapt to the lifestyle here.

And have there been things that have surprised you?
What I found surprising about people in Newcastle is when you ask them for help, they do their best to help. At first some people were a bit confused because we differ in many aspects, but it was surprising to me that people have always been curious to know more and more about me and where I came from. 

You did NCS, how did that help you?
I did NCS in the summer of 2019, after I finished my GCSEs. I always say that NCS has been my favourite adventure that I ever went for. I met so many great friends, I volunteered for charities which made me feel very proud (and that helped me with the personal statement that I submitted with my application to university). I also made money for the first time, as me and my friends from NCS thought of ways to raise money. I did Henna tattoos and raised over £50. Doing NCS helped me learn to be more independent, as I challenged myself and faced my fear (I jumped in a lake in Matlock!), and I became more confident in meeting new people. 

What advice would you give to someone who might be a bit shy or nervous about going on NCS? 
I will say to go for it no matter how shy they are, because after going on NCS they will become more confident around others. It’s a very open and safe place, people are very helpful and cheerful so they’ll help anyone nervous or shy to enjoy it, and no one is ever left alone. I think that on NCS you find yourself!

What are you working towards at the moment? 
I’m a third-year law student at university, and I tutor A-level Physics. I also work at a clothing company, and doing NCS definitely helped me get that job because they were looking for someone that had worked within a team before. I had no work experience but they treated NCS as an equivalent, and so I got the job! 
 

Fancy doing NCS? Check out the new experiences here.

Include this article in your Skills Builder Journal. It could help you develop...