“UoPeople Gave Me the Confidence to Keep Pursuing My Goals,” Says Health Science Student Marianne Romany A.

Born in Sudan and now living in Egypt, Marianne Romany A. is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Science at University of the People while working full time as an educator. Her journey has taken her across borders and through significant changes, but throughout it all, education has remained a constant source of purpose and possibility.

Marianne grew up in a family that valued education, kindness, and perseverance. Her parents encouraged her to ask questions, remain curious, and never stop learning. From an early age, she was drawn to science and enjoyed understanding how the world works and finding solutions to everyday problems.

Growing up in a multilingual environment also shaped Marianne’s outlook. Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, she learned to communicate across cultures and developed an appreciation for different perspectives.

“Education is not just about earning a degree,” she says. “It is about developing the skills and mindset to help others and continue growing throughout life.”

Marianne’s path has not always been easy. Adapting to life in a new country after experiencing the uncertainty and disruption caused by war presented significant challenges. At the same time, she has had to navigate the financial and practical demands of working full time while pursuing her degree.

There have been many evenings spent studying after long workdays and weekends dedicated to assignments.

“I have learned that resilience is built through difficult experiences,” she says. “Every obstacle has strengthened my determination and reminded me why education is worth pursuing.”

Marianne discovered UoPeople while searching for an affordable and flexible university that would allow her to continue her education while working full time. The university’s mission of making higher education accessible to students regardless of their financial circumstances resonated strongly with her.

“Education should be an opportunity, not a privilege. UoPeople gave me hope and the confidence to keep pursuing my goals,” she says.

The flexibility of UoPeople’s online learning model has been equally important for her. As a full-time educator, Marianne can organize her coursework around her professional responsibilities while continuing to develop her career.

She also transferred credits to UoPeople, which helped her progress through her degree more efficiently.

“The process was straightforward and helped me continue my studies more efficiently,” she says. “Receiving credit for previous coursework saved both time and money.”

One of Marianne’s favorite aspects of studying at UoPeople is the opportunity to learn alongside students from different countries and cultures. Discussions with classmates have exposed her to new perspectives on global health issues and reinforced the value of learning from people with different experiences.

She also appreciates that her courses encourage critical thinking, independent learning, collaboration, and practical application—skills that extend beyond the classroom and into her work as an educator.

For Marianne, her Health Science degree is an important step toward a career that combines her passions for health, science, and education. She hopes to promote public health awareness and make scientific knowledge more accessible to communities.

She also plans to pursue graduate studies and hopes to participate in research focused on health, environmental sustainability, and community development.

“Most importantly, I want to inspire young people to believe in themselves and understand that education can open doors, no matter where they come from,” she says.

Outside of work and university, Marianne enjoys creating educational activities and interactive STEM games that make learning more engaging for students. She also reads about science, health, and environmental topics and volunteers in educational initiatives whenever she can.

Balancing a full-time teaching career with university studies remains demanding. Marianne’s weeks are filled with lesson planning, teaching, grading, assignments, discussion forums, and exams. Staying on top of everything requires careful planning, discipline, and perseverance.

“There have been moments when I wondered whether I could manage everything,” she says. “But I kept reminding myself why I started this journey.”

For Marianne, the journey is about more than completing a degree. It is about continuing to grow, overcoming obstacles, and using education to create opportunities for others.

“Success is not about having a perfect path,” she says. “It is about continuing to move forward, even when life presents obstacles.”

As Marianne continues her studies at UoPeople, she is building a future where her passion can make a meaningful difference. Her journey demonstrates that even when circumstances change, determination and a commitment to learning can keep a dream moving forward.