Education Has Empowered This UoPeople Student to Make the Right Choices

Life was not easy for Adbul M. growing up in his hometown of Dars es Salaam, Tanzania. When Abdul was only 16 years old, his mother tragically passed away from heart failure. “I cried all the time. The depression was compounded by my difficulties in school. It was hard to focus academically,” he says with a shake of his head.

Though studying was a struggle, Abdul developed an interest in computers. As he got older he realized that this was a passion he wanted to pursue. In 2013, he enrolled in the University of Dodoma to pursue a bachelor’s degree in information systems.

Abdul was proud to be a first-generation college student, but still dealt with financial difficulties.“Though our government funded 80 percent of my tuition, I still had to ask my father for a loan. I felt a sense of accomplishment when I first received a scholarship, realizing that I received it based on my own merit.”

After completing his bachelor’s he began working in the banking industry while helping provide for his family. He took a look around him and noticed that many of those in senior management positions at the bank had an MBA. However, Abdul was faced with a major challenge: Working full-time and with his own family to support, he needed a flexible and affordable option to advance his education.

“I chose Uopeople because I was desperately looking for an American accredited university that could provide affordable high-quality education to someone like me,” says Abdul. In 2021, he began earning his MBA at UoPeople and is on track to graduate in 2022.

How is Abdul able to manage his busy schedule? “I use every spare minute I have to study and complete my assignments,” he says. But don’t think that Abdul doesn’t have time for other pursuits and hobbies. “I also practice music, it’s my biggest passion.” In fact, Abdul is an impressive singer, known in the music world as Ebebe Jamal. He admits that finding a successful work life balance has been key to helping him feel fulfilled both personally and professionally.

What advice would he give to potential students? “Plan your schedule ahead of time. That’s what I do so that I am never behind on any assignments. Personally, being able to work on my own schedule at UoPeople is a big plus. It’s allowed me to explore all my interests. As long as I pass my exams and grow in my career, I don’t mind the grind,” he answers confidently.

Abdul has accomplished so much already in his young life–what does he imagine for the future? “I won’t settle for anything less than achieving my dreams. My education has empowered me to make the right choices for myself and my loved ones,” he says. His determination makes him an unstoppable force and we’re confident that his opportunities are endless.