A BRITISH student has become one of the first foreign high school students in Didim to be awarded a certificate of appreciation (Teşekkür Belgesi) for achieving high marks in her schoolwork.

Olivia Tilley, who became 18 on June 13, was delighted to find she had achieved 80 points out of a 100 for her schoolwork, resulting in her being awarded the Teşekkür Belgesi from her head of child care Saliha Ozturk at her school, Aydin Didim Teknik ve Meslek Lise

In the Turkish school system, if you achieve between 70 and 85 points you have the certificate that Olivia received, while a certificate of excellence is given to those achieving between 85 to 100 points.

Olivia now speaks fluent Turkish and has been in the Turkish education system for six years since re-locating to Didim from Kent with her mum and dad Tanya and Chaz Howell.

Speaking to Voices, Olivia said: “When I got the award I felt so proud of myself and also very emotional.

“It was such an achievement as it’s hard for Turkish people to get it so the fact that I did made me feel all my hard work paid off.”

She added: “In the beginning it was extremely hard especially as I didn’t know any Turkish when I first moved here, but as the years have gone by its got easier and easier. But sometimes it can still be a challenge.”

Giving advice to other foreign students in the Turkish school system, she said: “To achieve your goals you have to be dedicated, work hard and believe in your capabilities.”

Olivia said she hoped to work with children, but long term wanted love to travel and weigh up her future opportunities.

Her mum Tanya (41) said: “Chaz and I were proud of how hard she has worked all these years and even her teachers didn’t think she would achieve it.

“She worked very hard and was determined to do her best and prove all the doubters that she was capable. And it’s all paid off.”