A teenager who arrived in the north-east unable to speak English just eight years ago is now set for a career in chemical engineering after achieving five A-grades at Advanced Higher level.
Sebastian Frosina, 17, from Tillydrone, received his results yesterday, which included A’s in mathematics and physics.
The St Machar Academy pupil moved to Aberdeen from Poland when he was nine and could not speak English.
Now he is looking forward to beginning a chemical engineering course at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, which he was offered last year.
He said: “I’m very, very pleased. I’m definitely chuffed, but I’m still kind of shocked that I got five A’s.
“I’ve taken up an offer of Chemical Engineering at Heriot Watt. Since I was a kid I always liked the more mathematical side of things, I never kind of enjoyed the creative things, so I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s very exciting and in a way I’m very proud of myself for how far I’ve come. I basically came here and could speak two words in English, but during primary school my teacher Mrs Baxter helped me to learn all my English.
“Once I joined St Machar all the teachers came together and they helped me get through all the subjects.
“I have to say it wasn’t all up to me how well I did. It was also thanks to the teachers, how well they helped me and how supportive they were, and also my family and friends, how much they helped me.”
His family joined in the celebrations yesterday, with sister Monika saying: “He is a very modest kid, and he does what he does because he likes it.”
Sebastian is now looking forward to university and an exciting career.
“I was thinking of something with oil companies in the future,” he said. “Or maybe if I’m bored I could join NASA.”