Esraa Kelezli

Tell us a bit about yourself, your background etc?

I’m 17 years old and originally from Syria, but I moved to the UK six years ago. When I first arrived in the UK, I didn’t speak any English (my first language is Arabic) so I had to take English classes for a while after my family arrived – luckily, I really enjoy learning languages, so now I’m trying to learn French as well! I wasn’t able to go to school much back in Syria due to the war, so when I came to England I started in Year 7, which was difficult sometimes. I had a couple of years out of schooling, then did my GCSEs and passed in English and photography but not in maths or science, so I had to resit them. I’m not keen on maths, it’s really hard, but I enjoy hearing stories from the past (especially in the 1970s) in English. Outside of college, my hobbies include walking, watching TV, shopping, doing hair and make-up, and also meeting people in the community.

How did you hear about Newcastle College? Did you attend an Open Day prior to starting at the College? If so, did you find it useful?

My brother spent three years studying a course at Newcastle College and he recommended I come here to study, since he said so many people want to help you and support you through whatever you need. I was thinking of going to Sixth Form, but my brother convinced me that staff would be more supportive here, and I’m really glad I study at Newcastle College now. The teachers provide extra support in my lessons and explain anything I’m unsure about, which is really helpful.

What made you decide to come to the college and enrol on the course you selected?

Hair and beauty has been one of my hobbies since I was young. I used to watch people back in Syria doing people’s hair in different styles, and again when I came to England, and I used to say that I was going to be a hairdresser once I finished school, so now I’m doing that thanks to Newcastle College!

How would you describe the advice and support you received from college and your tutors? Have you had any support for our Central Support Team – Pastoral support?

My teachers always give me lots of advice, they’re all really helpful and respectful during classes. They’re also very knowledgeable and explain all the content clearly, it’s brilliant! In terms of pastoral support, I have a bit of anxiety so I get mental health support from the CSS Team with a weekly check-in session every Tuesday morning. The CSS staff are all really friendly and respectful, they’re always making sure I’m feeling alright and giving me advice on what to do to feel better if I’m ever a bit low.

Do you have any tutors who have industry experience? If so, how has this helped you?

My teachers have all worked in salons before, so their experience comes across in our classes, which has been helpful when we’ve been looking for work experience.

Did you look into financial support available from the college? If so what were they and how did they help? 

I receive a free bus pass to get onto campus, as well as a daily allowance for meals on campus; during the holidays, the College Finance Team also sends money to my bank card to help me cover any additional expenses. I get free education her, and the costs for any trips I take are subsidised by the college, which is really helpful since it’s allowed me to go on trips to (for example) competitions in Manchester or a recreational trip to Beamish Museum for free!

Have you overcome any challenges while on your course? If so how has the college helped you?

My main challenge is my anxiety, sometimes it gets a bit overwhelming. Thankfully, the CSS Team and my tutors are all very helpful and respectful, and they make sure that I’m doing alright as often as they can.

What do you/did you enjoy most about your course?

I really enjoy the social side of my course. I get to meet people from all over the place, not just other students and staff but also members of the public when they come to The Retreat for hair treatments, and I enjoy doing their hair and making them feel nice about themselves.

How do you feel that the course has/is benefitting you?

My course is benefitting me by providing a lot of information about hair that I’ll need for my future career in industry, since I had to start from the bottom and work my way up, so to speak. Before coming to Newcastle College, if I did someone’s hair I never really pushed myself or seriously attempted hair challenges, but now I’m able to work on real people, which is so much better! Today, for example, I did some blow drying on a customer and got some great feedback! I’m also learning how to do hair colouring on my course too, which I really value.

Have you done any work experience or a work placement as part of your course?

Unfortunately, no. I tried looking for a placement earlier this year and quite a few hair salons said they would take me, but none of them could offer me placements on a Friday, which is the only day I don’t have classes on campus. They all really liked the fact that I speak multiple languages though, so hopefully I’ll be able to find a work placement next year.

What would you like to do when you finish your course? Would you consider studying a degree at Newcastle College University Centre?

I want to go and work in salons, work my way up the ladder, and eventually open my own hair and beauty salon. Once I finish my course at Newcastle College, I would also like to go onto a technical university to study a degree in hair and beauty, and Newcastle College University Centre sounds like a fantastic option! When I’m finished in education, I feel like I can do anything, so I’ll strike out on my own in business to make my mark on the hair and beauty industry. I quite enjoy hard work (and earning money!) but the chance to uplift people through my work so they feel really good about themselves is my real passion.

What are your ambitions for the future?

My main goal is to be successful in the hair and beauty industry. Obviously, I’d like to be successful, but it’s not so much for myself as to earn enough money to comfortably support charities and other people who have immigrated from different countries or are otherwise struggling, so I always think about that. When I lived in Syria, I saw people struggling in so many ways and they’re still struggling now, and I want to support them to help my family and friends, but also to give something back to my community…and maybe to become a really famous hairdresser in the process!

What would you say to anyone thinking of studying a course with Newcastle College?

Come to Newcastle College! It’s a really nice college and student community, there’s something here for everyone and no end to the support on offer, so whatever you want to do you’ll find it and enjoy it – there’s always something fun to do here.

Top five tips

1. Always be on time for college – especially if you live far away or have to get a bus (they’re never reliable)!

2. Hand assignments in on time

3. Be respectful to everyone

4. Have a positive attitude

5. Have fun – enjoy your life!

Find out more about our 16-18 courses in Hair, Beauty and Make-Up