Student Anis Rtemi is celebrating a record-breaking exam result after travelling overseas for the first time to study English at City of Bath College.
The 30-year-old from Libya made “the huge decision to go abroad for the first time ever” in order to fulfil his dream of becoming a university professor.
The international student needed to get the grades in the English as a Second Language (ESL) exam so he could go on to study at university in England.
Anis started at City of Bath College in April and impressed his teachers so much he was able to take the listening, writing, reading and speaking exams two months early.
He earned an overall score of 8 with a top score and a college record of 9 in listening.
Anis said: “I took my exam in June instead of August as my teachers thought I was ready.
“I am so happy with the result; just absolutely thrilled. I knew I had to get the grade to go on to study, but it wasn’t easy!
“When I found out my exam results, I phoned my mother and told her the good news that I’d be home for the summer sooner than she thought.”
Anis was awarded a scholarship from the University of Tripoli, where he has worked for two years, to do a Masters Degree in Anatomy at the University of Bristol from September.
He had studied English for six years at school but needed an IELTS score of at least 7.5.
Anis said a friend had recommended the College to him and he was “very pleased with what he found.”
He said: “It’s a very good college with very qualified teaching staff.
“It’s the first time I have been overseas and it was a great experience for me.
“Everyone was very helpful and welcoming. Bath is a beautiful city and I made friends with people from all over the world.”
He added: “I will now be recommending the College to other people.”
Anis hopes to go on to do a PhD and teach anatomy at the University of Tripoli.
