A STUDENT who grew up in a Tanzanian orphanage is taking on her latest challenge after graduating with a first class honours degree from Blackburn College.

Sophia Joseph, 21, moved to the UK when she was just 16-years-old and barely spoke a word of English.

Studying a BA in education studies she managed to achieve the first class honours grade and is now on a PGCE cource at the college.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Course leader Peter Shukie said: “Sophia has dedicated herself to her studies since she started at Blackburn College.

“Sophia didn’t speak much English before she arrived in the UK and has fully immersed herself in the language and her studies since then.”

She is studying with the support of the Bethany Project a Christian charity which helps support the most vulnerable people in Tanzania and has been living with a host family in Oswaldtwistle.

She graduated at St George’s Hall with close to a thousand other pupils on Thursday October 16.

Sophia said: “It was difficult at times but I have really enjoyed studying at Blackburn College which is why I wanted to stay on here to do my PGCE.”

Following her PGCE Sophia wants to return to Tanzania and use her new teaching skills in a Bethany Project school to give back some of what she has learnt.

Mr Shukie said: “She produced an excellent dissertation on international students using her own experience and created a really powerful insight into the experiences of International Students in the UK. She has been an incredibly positive influence in the group.”

Last Thursday saw a procession leave Blackburn College campus for King George’s Hall through the town, the first of its kind in Blackburn.

Principal and chief executive, Dr Thomas Moore, said: “We have close to 1,000 students graduating this year and wanted to celebrate by letting Blackburn see our graduates in their caps and gowns.

“This was a first for Blackburn and was an impressive sight to behold.”