Ukrainian Teenager's "Miracle" Journey from War to Cambridge University
A 17-year-old named Timur, who escaped the war in Ukraine and settled in Lincoln, has achieved his "dream" of securing a place at the prestigious University of Cambridge. He will be studying mathematics at Trinity College.
Escape from Odesa and New Beginnings in Lincoln
Timur left his home city of Odesa in March 2022 following the Russian invasion and subsequent air strikes. He joined his uncle in England and enrolled at Lincoln UTC, a school specializing in science and engineering. Leaving his home and friends was a stressful experience. However, he continued studying online during his journey to the UK, while also worrying about his friends back in Odesa.
A Passion for Maths and Overcoming Challenges
Timur has always loved maths and solving puzzles. Since settling in Lincoln, he has devoted himself to his studies even more. He overcame the challenge of understanding the "informal" English used by his fellow students. He joined Lincoln UTC a year ahead of his age group, completed his GCSEs, and then went on to study A-levels at Cambridge Maths School, with the aim of attending Trinity College. In his spare time, he even created a website dedicated to challenging maths problems.
Looking Forward to Cambridge
Timur is preparing to begin his studies at the university in October. "I can't believe it happened," he said. "When I was in Ukraine, I couldn't even imagine that I would go to UK and study at arguably the best university for maths. It's just a miracle." His mother, Olha, expressed her pride and unwavering support, calling his achievement "unbelievable."
