Iryna Ushakova is nearing the end of a 3 year 9/11 Fund scholarship in HND Graphic Design at New College, Nottingham. She is the daughter of the solitary Ukrainian victim of the Twin Towers tragedy.

Iryna was a regional finalist in the International Student Awards 2006. This is an Education UK initiative from the British Council, supported by the Department for Education and Skills, the Department for Employment and Learning Northern Ireland, the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly.

Iryna writes:

Hello my dear friend

It is my 3rd year of studentship in the UK and I’m telling you – I’m making the most of my time while I’m away from home. The 9/11 British Council scholarship has given me an amazing opportunity to overcome the distress caused by the loss of my Father in the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York in 2001.

My course in graphic design has not only developed me professionally, but also helps me to free my creative side, giving me confidence to express myself and to find my own place in this World.

It is in this country, where I learned not only to play several other musical instruments in addition to my guitar skills, but, also, most importantly, I started to write and play my own music, which is strongly influenced by Ukrainian folk.

Last year a friend of mine helped me to record a demo CD. I sent it to BBC Radio Lincolnshire and they liked it. My music will be played on BBC – can you imagine that?!

Being a college student in England I have got friends from Africa, Hong Kong, Sweden and India. Every day of my life in this country brings me a new understanding of the cultures I have not been brought up in. Living in two worlds, English and Ukrainian, I see how it is important for a young person to experience life abroad, to meet and talk to people of different cultures on an everyday basis.

Wish me good luck

Love Iryna

Iryna gave an address at the inaugural Annual Gathering of 9/11 Fund scholars in London in February 2006:

First of all I would like to say a big thank you to the British Council, the World Trade Centre Disaster Fund, to all the people, who made 9/11 scholarship possible for me and my fellow scholars.

It is more than just a scholarship to me. It is my opportunity for better future. My studies and experiences in the UK help me to find my place in this world; to comprehend what personally I can do so that the world would become a little bit better place to live in.

My father used to say: Don’t give fish to a child, give a child a fishing rod and teach him how to catch the fish, so that the child would be independent and strong.

This 9/11 scholarship is this fishing rod my father gives me in a way. It is the opportunity he would have wanted the best for me and I value and appreciate it very much.

Whilst in the UK, Iryna had the opportunity to meet with the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.