Vika Makarenko

Starting Again in a New Country

Vika joined Coventry College after having to move to the UK due to the war in Ukraine. Arriving in April, she initially applied to universities but faced uncertainty around international status, visa recognition, and English language requirements.

“I saw that Coventry College was still taking students, so I went for an open day,” Vika explains. “When Lecturer David heard about my situation, he was incredibly kind and invited me for an interview. I was so happy when I received the offer.”

Coventry College became a vital stepping stone, helping Vika integrate into a new cultural environment and prepare academically and personally for studying Architecture at a top UK university.

Life at Coventry College

Adjusting to a new education system wasn’t easy. Alongside differences in teaching style, Vika had to overcome language barriers and cultural misunderstandings.

“At first it was confusing. I wasn’t confident with my English, and people didn’t always understand my accent. Ukrainian straightforwardness can sometimes be seen as rudeness here,” she says.

Despite this, Vika found support through her classmates and staff, particularly from David, who helped ease her transition and reduce the stress of settling into college life.

Freedom to Create and Learn

One of the standout aspects of Vika’s course was the creative freedom it offered.

“There was no restriction on self-expression,” she says. “The college provided equipment and machines for model making, which allowed me to experiment. I even took one of my models to my interview at Loughborough University.”

Real-world experience also played a key role, especially a live project designing an interior for the Albany Theatre. This project later became a valuable portfolio piece, strengthening her university applications.

Vika also credits her English teacher for helping her achieve a Grade 5 in GCSE English, a milestone she considers a major personal achievement.

“If you are enthusiastic and really want to study, the staff see it and are ready to help.”

Support Beyond the Classroom

Staff support extended well beyond teaching. Vika received help preparing for university interviews through mock interview sessions, as well as practical assistance with student letters, Student Finance evidence, and even access to a free bike scheme after an attempted bike theft.

“These small things made a big difference,” she reflects.

Progression and Success

After completing her course, Vika progressed directly to Loughborough University, where she is now in her second year studying BArch Architecture, preparing for a professional placement year.

She has already completed a summer internship in 3D scanning and immersive technologies, crediting her Coventry College portfolio for helping her stand out.

“I had more experience compared to other students on my course.”

She continues to collaborate with Loughborough University’s DigiLab IT team, promoting the use of Virtual Reality technologies and exploring the future of architectural visualisation.

Looking Ahead

Vika’s short-term goal is to secure a placement as an architectural visualiser, combining architecture with VR and immersive technologies in a professional setting.

She is also keen to see the continued development of the course, suggesting newer tools such as D5 Render and AI-assisted visualisation, which she now uses alongside Photoshop to streamline rendering workflows.

Advice for Future Students

Vika offers honest advice to anyone considering an architecture pathway:

“Architecture is not only about buildings, it’s about how you think and what you experience. You need to be dedicated and passionate.”