Sunday, 4th September 2023

Knowing Emilka’s grades from IGCSEs were good enough to get an unconditional offer to her dream Hartpury college, now it was a waiting game to get accommodation to be able to work at the stables during the week and weekends as part of her equine management studies. The deadline to receive any emailed offer was Friday 1st September, but by Tuesday 29th August we were concerned that we’d heard nothing, and even though we were asked not to write to accommodation admissions, I did. Nicely and politely, knowing she was one of the first to apply when the application system opened at 9am on 17th April.  This, and both that she needs to be on site and  is a long way from home were my three justifications for acting as I did.

It worked, and on Wednesday 30th at 21.15hrs, I received an e-mail with Emi’s accommodation offer. Not her first choice of single occupancy with en-suite, but double occupancy and communal washing facilities, but she had no choice. Learnipng that over 130 students are still on the waiting list and a fair number of these will most likely not commence studying at Hartpury due to not living on site, she is very lucky. 

We had 3 days to prepare, ready for moving in on Sunday, 3rd September.  It was an exciting day for her and for us too. She hugged her brother Misa before he left for work at Tesco at 9am, a car boot full of stuff was loaded in no time in the morning, her best friend Eleanor came to say goodbye and off we went at about 11ish, stopping at grandparents to say a final cheerio. Our slot was 13.30-16.15hrs and she wanted to be there in plenty of time – understandable. 

Nighty minutes later, we were astounded by the beautifully kept, vast grounds of the college as soon as we turned in from the main road north of Gloucester, dead impressed with the organisation and friendliness of the staff and the incredible effectiveness of how 700 students were able to move in on the same day.

We are so happy for her, knowing that she is living her dream and will study at her dream college, previously seen only on the internet and in printed media. We helped her to organise her bedroom and bed, put away all her stuff and had a few minutes to go and use the main canteen to suss it out. Her roommate Viktorija arrived around 15.00 hrs and they seemed to hit it off straight away with Emi naturally taking the lead (I wonder why?). 

We had a very informative parent’s evening and then left her before 18.00hrs as she was preparing to join in with the evening BBQ that was part of the arrangements to help buiuld friendship groups. Our drive home was full of excitement for us too, as our life has changed forever and we will need some time to adjust, knowing that our daughter has embarked on her new adventure in state of the art facilities for the next two years. 

We are wishing her a fantastic time, and could not be prouder. What every parent want for their kids is for them to be happy – which Emi is.  Just watch this short video, and smile!

She asked the universe for her dream and it was granted.  The sky is the limit for all of us for sure.  

Rennie