“I think Benenden has made me a better person.”

Having joined the School in the summer of 2022, following the outbreak of the conflict in her home country of Ukraine, recent Benenden leaver Mariia Muntian is celebrating superb results and a secure place at her choice of university.

“I’m really happy,” Mariia said of her results, “I was expecting to get lower grades and have to fight for my place – so this is really nice!”

Achieving ABAA in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and her EPQ respectively, Mariia is now looking forward to joining Manchester University – though she is exploring a change from Biomedical Science to a course on Neuroscience and Psychology. Mariia says she is keen to focus her studies on the brain and human behaviour, an interest she developed as a Benenden student.

She said: “When I first came to Benenden I wanted to study biotechnology, but realised it’s not for me. And now, even after I’ve applied, I’ve changed my mind again!

“School has definitely guided my thought and given me an opportunity to research, to get an idea of what these subjects are really about and to explore them a bit.”

Even at age 14, Mariia’s passion for science pushed her to explore opportunities outside of Ukraine. Having completed work experience at a Ukrainian university, she felt that the provision wasn’t enough to match her ambitions, saying: “I want to get into Science but I thought the platform Ukraine provided wasn’t enough for me to make a real difference.”

“My parents took me on a trip across Europe where we visited different places, and I felt like I wanted to be in that environment.”

Her family encouraged Mariia to explore study overseas and registered her for programmes designed to help European students find places in British schools. While Mariia’s initial application was unsuccessful, the outbreak of the war in Ukraine changed everything for her, and with new, fully-funded places opened up to Ukrainian students Mariia soon found herself with a place at Benenden.

The process of moving wasn’t smooth however, as Mariia – with the School’s support – had to fight for her visa to be processed in time for her to join Benenden early, escaping shelling that had broken out across her hometown. When Mariia was finally able to join, she had time to settle in before embarking on her studies proper.

She said, “I needed some time to adjust. But it was helpful joining early because it gave me time to meet lots of new people and make friends.”

Since then, Mariia has fully embraced everything life at Benenden has to offer – not only through her rigorous studies, but also launching herself into co-curricular opportunities such as learning the bass guitar, playing badminton, and establishing Benenden’s Ukrainian Society, through which she was able to share aspects of her culture with her friends.

On her time at Benenden, Mariia said: “I really benefitted from the opportunities Benenden provided. I grew as a person, it got me thinking about what my values are, so that was a big step up.

“I think Benenden has made me a better person. I’ve become more aware of lots of things. Learning about people’s differences at Benenden has helped me to become more tolerant and more understanding of people.”

Reflecting on her studies, she added: “A Levels can be really challenging, and sometimes you can feel really stupid. The key is not to give up, and to realise you’re not alone and you’re not the only one in the classroom who feels like that.”

With outstanding grades, a place at a top university, and seemingly limitless ambition as a scientist, it’s fair to say Mariia has more than met the challenge.

Join us for our Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday 12 September. Book at www.benenden.school/opendays