From Engineering to Nutrition: How UoPeople Helped Me Find My Way Back to My Passion

I grew up in Tigray, Ethiopia, with big dreams and a love of learning. I always imagined myself working in healthcare, but my educational journey took me in directions I never expected. I studied engineering, moved to Cyprus to pursue nutrition, and eventually came to the United States, where circumstances forced me to put my education on hold.

For a while, I wasn’t sure how I would return to school. I was working to support myself and build a life in a new country, while still holding on to the dream I had set aside. Discovering University of the People gave me an opportunity to pick up where I had left off. Today, I have graduated with an associate degree in Health Science and am working toward my goal of building a career in nutrition.

Growing Up in Ethiopia: A Family That Valued Education

I was raised by a single mother and surrounded by a close-knit, supportive community. I have two sisters who are close to me in age, and growing up together was always fun and a little competitive, especially when it came to school. We loved learning and constantly encouraged one another to do better.

My mother did not have the opportunity to attend school herself, but she understood the importance of education and made sure we did too. She always encouraged us to dream big and pursue the opportunities she had not been able to experience. I also had strong role models in my extended family and community, including my aunt, who became a lawyer.

From an early age, I was fascinated by biology, science, and how the human body works. I thought I wanted to become a doctor, although, looking back, I think what I really knew was that I wanted to work in healthcare. At the time, becoming a doctor seemed like the clearest way to do that.

As I grew older, I discovered nutrition, and everything began to fall into place. My mother had always prepared our food from scratch and used herbs and traditional home remedies when we were sick. I grew up loving food and cooking, so learning that I could turn that interest into a career while still working in healthcare was exciting. I realized that nutrition brought together two things I cared deeply about: food and health.

An Unexpected Educational Journey

My educational journey was not a straight line. In Ethiopia, students do not always get to choose their university major. Placement is largely determined by exam results and the government system. Although I wanted to study something related to medicine, I was placed in engineering.

I continued with engineering for three years before deciding to take a chance on what I genuinely wanted to pursue. I moved to Cyprus to study nutrition. My mother was not entirely on board with the decision at first, but she supported me anyway, and I was excited to finally be studying a subject I loved.

After my first year, I returned to Ethiopia for a break and received an opportunity to continue my education in the United States. I thought it would open up better possibilities, so I decided to make the move.

Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Shortly after I arrived in the U.S., the war in Tigray changed everything. For a period of time, I could not even communicate with my family back home. I was constantly worried about their safety, and the uncertainty was emotionally exhausting.

My family had been supporting my education, but the situation made it difficult to continue. Between the emotional strain and financial challenges, I had to put school on hold.

I eventually began working and building my life in the United States. Things gradually became more stable, but one thing continued to weigh on me: I had not finished my education. I knew I wanted to return to school, but I did not know how I could afford it.

Finding a Way Back to Education with UoPeople

I discovered University of the People through social media. I was always looking for opportunities to continue my education, and UoPeople kept appearing in my feed.

At first, I was skeptical. A tuition-free, accredited university sounded almost too good to be true. But after coming across it several times, I decided to look into it more seriously. I researched the university and spoke with people around me who knew more about higher education in the United States.

Once I understood more about UoPeople, I was genuinely excited. I had found a way to return to school without having to worry about the high cost of tuition. That was how my Health Science journey at UoPeople began.

I chose Health Science because it connected closely with my interest in nutrition and my curiosity about how the human body works. It felt like a meaningful way to return to the field I had wanted to pursue for years.

My experience at UoPeople has been wonderful. I appreciated how flexible and accessible the learning experience was. Although I was not used to studying entirely online, I found the learning guides clear and the coursework easy to follow. Whenever I had questions, there was someone available to help.

Being able to study while working full-time was especially important. I could continue supporting myself financially without having to give up on my education. Balancing work and coursework was not always easy, but it taught me to be more disciplined and manage my time more effectively.

One of my favorite memories was attending UoPeople’s 15th-anniversary gala. I had the opportunity to meet fellow students, faculty members, and some of the people behind the university. After being part of an online learning community, it was special to meet people in person, hear their stories, and feel connected to the wider UoPeople community. It is an experience I will always remember.

Building a Career While Pursuing My Passion for Health

While studying Health Science, I was also building a career in technology. When I first arrived in the United States, I knew I needed to support myself financially. I took technology courses that helped me enter the field, and I now work in software quality assurance.

In my role, I help test products, identify issues, and contribute to improving the overall user experience. Although my work in technology is different from what I studied, both experiences have taught me a great deal.

Working while attending UoPeople strengthened my discipline, time-management skills, and ability to keep learning even with a busy schedule. It also helped me see that I did not have to abandon my passion simply because I had chosen a different career path to support myself.

I can continue working in technology while taking steps toward the future I want in healthcare. My education has reminded me that career paths do not always have to be linear, and that it is possible to pursue more than one interest at a time.

Continuing My Journey Toward a Career in Nutrition

I have now graduated with an associate degree in Health Science from UoPeople, and I am proud of reaching this milestone. My next goal is to continue toward a bachelor’s degree in nutrition. I also hope to transfer my UoPeople credits to another university, which could make completing my degree easier and shorten the time needed to finish.

Ultimately, I want to build a career in nutrition and help people improve their health through food and lifestyle choices. I am excited to keep learning and see where my interests in technology and health might lead. I do not have every step figured out yet, but I know I want to keep moving forward.

My Advice to Students Whose Paths Take Unexpected Turns

My biggest advice is to never give up on your education, even when things do not go according to plan.

Sometimes life takes you in a completely different direction. You may have to pause your studies, reconsider your goals, or find another way to support yourself. But a pause does not mean you have to give up on what you wanted to achieve.

Take advantage of the opportunities available to you, ask questions, and do not be afraid to start again. Your journey does not have to look like anyone else’s. What matters is continuing to take steps toward the future you want.

Life Beyond Work and School

Outside of work and school, I enjoy cooking, learning more about nutrition, working out, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Cooking is especially meaningful to me because it brings back memories of growing up and everything I learned from my mother. I love trying new recipes and finding ways to make healthy food enjoyable. It is one of the ways I stay connected to my roots while continuing to explore my interest in nutrition.

I am especially grateful to my mother, who always believed in us and encouraged us to pursue our dreams. Her support has been an important part of my journey, even when the road has been uncertain.

Looking back, I went from studying engineering in Ethiopia to pursuing nutrition in Cyprus, moving to the United States, putting my education on hold, and building a career in technology before returning to school. It was not the path I originally imagined, but I am grateful for how far I have come.

Earning my associate degree from UoPeople meant finally continuing something I had started years ago. It reminded me that even when circumstances interrupt your plans, you can still find a way forward.

I am proud of this achievement, grateful for the opportunity UoPeople gave me, and excited for what comes next.

About the Author

Bitaniya H. is a University of the People alumna from Ethiopia, currently based in Denver, Colorado. She holds an associate degree in Health Science and works in software quality assurance. Passionate about nutrition, cooking, and health, she plans to continue her education toward a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and pursue a career helping others improve their well-being.