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How UoPeople Business Administration Student Judith Was Driven to Succeed

Judith M., Business Administration, South Africa

Judith M., Business Administration, South Africa

“I was born in the 1960s, in Zimbabwe, before technology was rife. Perhaps I would be described by the tech gurus as “BBT” –born before technology,” says Judith in a matter-of-fact way, suppressing laughter.
She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at UoPeople.

“Age did not deter me from fulfilling my higher-ed goals–nor did poverty,” she says. Judith describes herself as a “go-getter, fearless, and an adventurous being.”

Judith grew up in a large household with six siblings where there wasn’t much money to support earning a degree. “My father’s meager wage somehow saw us through our early school years. By the time I completed high school, my older siblings had already left home.” Judith was determined to start and help contribute to the household in any way she could.

“I had the drive to be successful, but I couldn’t even make ends meet. I somehow managed to earn a teaching diploma, and it provided a better income,” she tells us.

Time progressed and Judith eventually went on to have her own family. Judith raised her three daughters as a single mother and felt she had a responsibility to be their source of inspiration. “I wanted them to feel proud of their mother–exactly how I felt proud of them and their own accomplishments. That’s why I decided to become part of UoPeople an pursue my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration,” she says.

Judith wanted her own children to see that with drive and ambition anything is possible, but it didn’t come easy. People around her weren’t very encouraging toward her educational ambition as an older adult.

Yet she faced their disparaging remarks with confidence. If anyone called her “old,” she would say, “I am old but not outdated, and I’ll prove myself soon.”

Judith started her studies at UoPeople with practically no computer knowledge, but now confidently completes all her assignments online.

“UoPeople was there for me when I needed it the most. I was trying to figure out how to enroll in a university, but I just couldn’t afford it. The fact that UoPeople is a tuition-free, high-quality and an American-accredited university made my decision for me,” she says.

“Besides major business courses, I’ve learned about mathematics, science, ethical reasoning, humanities, and technology.”

Judith has also managed to be on UoPeople’s Dean’s List because of her outstanding accomplishments. Her ultimate goal is to use her education and experience to make a positive impact in her community. She aims to devote herself to building a social business–just like her idol, Prof. Muhammad Yunus, the Bangladeshi social entrepreneur

There is no doubt that Judith’s future is bright and we can’t wait to see the changes she will make to a world in need.

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