Oriana White, a mature student at London Metropolitan University, has been Highly Commended in the Festival of Learning, the biggest celebration of lifelong learning in England.
Date: 20 August 2018
Oriana White, a Creative, Digital and Professional Writing MA student at London Metropolitan University, has been announced as Highly Commended in the Festival of Learning, the biggest celebration of lifelong learning in England.
She was invited to attended the Houses of Parliament in June to collect her award.
Oriana won the award through her commitment to education and exceptional achievements as an adult learner. Prior to returning to education, Oriana had escaped domestic violence and was recovering from being stalked and seriously assaulted. Living with Crohn’s Disease and complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, she wanted to find a way to move forward with her life safely.
She enrolled onto three writing courses and realised it was something she really enjoyed and was able to express her experience in a way that was cathartic to her but also resonated with those around her. She then came to London Met to turn her passion into a reality.
“Education has always been my sanctuary. It is where I feel confident to move forward safely in my own time,” Oriana said.
Anne Karpf, Reader in Professional Writing and Cultural Inquiry, said: “Oriana has been a pleasure to teach. She has thrown herself into her MA and she works hard, is receptive to criticism and learns fast.
“She is full of good ideas and it has been a privilege to watch her develop them. She is living proof of how education can enhance your life at any stage of it and help you grow in ways you never anticipated.”
