Summer School stories: Sofiia Dukelska

Sofiia, from Ukraine, studied the ‘British History from Regency to Radicalism’ module in 2025. Here she discusses her ‘passionate’ tutors, ‘charming’ fellow students and memorable Summer School experience.

‘I enjoyed every moment of this adventure’

I chose the ‘British History’ module. As an International Relations student, I take a lot of interest in politics and sociology which are connected with history. I have always been a history enthusiast, especially when it comes to a country as old as Great Britain. 

The Summer School tutors explained the topics so passionately and professionally. They engaged with students in seminars and accepted and discussed everyone’s opinions. When you are learning a subject, there is nothing more important than having a tutor who loves explaining it. 

My fellow Summer School students were absolutely charming. All of them were very friendly and interesting to talk to. I also want to mention the Sussex students who helped me carry my unreasonably heavy suitcase, which had a broken handle, to my dorm room when I arrived. This proves that Sussex has the friendliest community of students. 

The tea parties, quizzes and karaoke nights on campus made adjusting to a new environment a lot easier. I tried to attend every social event. The Friday excursions intertwined with my module directly because of the historical context. It is impossible to choose a favourite activity or trip, as all of them were wonderful. 

[Sussex] University absolutely rocks! Along with its broad social programmes, green surroundings, brilliant students and wonderful professors, I could spend all day at the huge library on campus. After only three weeks [at Sussex] I started considering doing my Masters there, so you can only guess how inspired I was by the place. 

I enjoyed every moment of this new and exciting adventure. I met so many interesting people, visited a lot of gorgeous places and learnt a great variety of things about British history. It was an experience I would gladly repeat over and over again.