In a world of kaleidoscopic diversity at Holborn College, Mikhail Charles represents the only  student of Garifunda descent and probably Holborn College’s most heralded dancer, known for  his astronomical acrobatic feats on the dance floor.

He describes himself as being dynamic - for him that means breaking from the mould, capable of self evolution and charting one’s own course to fulfill one’s desired destiny. His personal  mantra is that life exists in the equilibrium of surviving in the present time and that to succeed  one ought to remember that the best way to ever eat an elephant is piece by piece.

Not with standing this, Mikhail is a disciplined, career focused 3rd year LLB Wales student.  During the last academic year he received the Ian Brown Award for distinction in European Law.  Similarly, he was an active founding member of the first student council at Holborn  College while operating in the capacity of class rep for two consecutive years. In addition, his  discipline and serious work ethic came to the fore when he was given the opportunity to work  as a junior paralegal during his initial year at Holborn College. He recounts that his  responsibility to draft arguments and compile case work was an invaluable experience that  afforded him a very practical and amazing experience as a legal support worker.

Mikhail admits that while his peers may view him as being a success story he is not fully  satisfied as he has not being able to secure a pupilage contract and may have to resort to being an in- house commercial barrister if his pursuit of a pupilage contract fails to materialize.  In retrospect, he adds that the last three years have been quite challenging as he has had to  make a two hour commute to college for classes. However, he has not been daunted by this  and he still finds time to juggle his lectures along with part time work, teaching martial arts and  playing jazz music at social gatherings.

He salutes several faculty members who have been instrumental in his academic progress  such as Andrew Penman, Mark Daley and Tim Maugherman among others who continue to  offer a wealth of information and resource to hundreds of Holbornites. His admonishment is  that all Holborn students should adapt the discipline that he has relied upon as well as to  continue to seek assistance from the faculty and staff who are willing to assist. Mikhail’s ambition is to return to the Caribbean to practice and be of service to his homeland subsequent  to gaining useful practice experience here in the UK.