“UoPeople Helped Me to Return to a Dream I Had Put on Hold,” Says Health Science Student, Martha C.

For Martha C., education has always represented the possibility of a different future. Born in El Salvador during the civil war, she grew up facing family separation and difficult circumstances that interrupted her education more than once. Now living on Long Island, New York, Martha is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Science at University of the People, working toward a goal she once feared might remain out of reach.

Martha’s childhood was shaped by her parents’ decision to migrate to the United States in search of better opportunities. She and her younger brother stayed in El Salvador with their grandmother while they waited to reunite with their parents. Growing up without them nearby was difficult, and her early years were not always happy. Yet, amid these challenges, Martha found comfort in books and learning.

She loved imagining the world beyond the circumstances she knew and worked hard at school, believing education could help her build a different life. With the support of a scholarship and her parents, she continued her studies as a teenager, although emotional challenges and changing circumstances caused her to put her education on hold several times.

Martha later moved to Spain, where she lived for approximately nine years, studied, and worked as a dental hygienist. Obtaining Spanish citizenship eventually allowed her to travel to the United States and reunite with her parents in person at age 28. Although she had built a life and career, completing a university degree remained an important personal goal. She is the first person in her immediate family on the path to completing a university degree, making her education especially meaningful.

In 2020, a serious bicycle accident brought another unexpected challenge. Martha was struck by a car and fractured her femur and collarbone, leaving her with chronic pain and a long recovery. While recovering in Houston, she learned that her mother had stage 4 lymphoma. In 2021, Martha moved to Long Island to be near her parents and support her mother through treatment. Managing her own recovery while facing her mother’s illness was an emotionally difficult period. With time, support from her loved ones, and her mother’s eventual recovery, Martha began rebuilding her life.

During her recovery, she searched online for affordable courses and learning opportunities to keep her mind active and find a sense of purpose. That was when she discovered UoPeople. Intrigued, she researched the university and its programs, reviewed the requirements, and considered whether she could manage university-level study in English. Spanish is her first language, and she initially worried that studying in English would be too difficult.

“UoPeople’s English course helped me become familiar with the learning platform and build confidence in my ability to continue. My father’s advice stayed with me: time would pass whether I pursued my education or not. Remembering his advice gave me the motivation to return to my studies and take another step toward a long-held goal,” she says.

Martha chose Health Science because she had long been interested in health, particularly after experiencing her own physical and emotional challenges and witnessing her mother’s illness. She wanted to understand health more deeply and gain knowledge that could help her improve her own well-being and, eventually, share what she learned with others.

At UoPeople, she has found the flexibility to study while working and managing other responsibilities. She appreciates the accessibility of the university, the support and constructive feedback she receives from instructors, and the opportunity to learn alongside students from different backgrounds. Her studies have also helped her develop skills in research, critical thinking, discipline, and organization.

One of her greatest accomplishments has been overcoming her initial fear of studying in English. What once felt like a major barrier has become evidence of how much she has grown. She has also found that the knowledge she gains extends beyond her coursework, helping her reflect on her own life and approach her work with greater understanding.

Martha currently works part-time in the beauty and aesthetics industry. She began as a receptionist at a beauty salon and eventually became an esthetician. As she progresses through her Health Science studies, she has started imagining ways to connect her professional experience with her growing knowledge of health and well-being.

After completing her bachelor’s degree, she hopes to gain experience in areas such as health education, prevention, wellness, or research. “In the longer term, I dream of opening my own beauty and wellness space, with a particular interest in women’s health, skin care, stress management, healthy habits, and the changes women experience through different stages of life. I also want to develop the knowledge to distinguish evidence-based practices from unsupported wellness trends,” she shares.

Balancing work, study, family responsibilities, and her health requires careful planning. Martha organizes her week, studies on days when she is not working at the salon, works ahead whenever possible, and asks for support when she needs it. She also values time with her husband and family, being in nature, walking, swimming, and enjoying the beach. Her curiosity remains an important part of her life, and she continues to explore new subjects through documentaries, videos, and independent research.

Alongside her studies, Martha has worked on her personal growth through therapy and reflection. For years, she carried the frustration of having to pause goals that mattered to her. Continuing her education has helped her rebuild confidence and feel that she is finally following through on something deeply meaningful.

For Martha, a university degree is more than a professional qualification. It represents a chance to move beyond years of uncertainty, honor the curious child who found refuge in books, and build a future shaped by her own choices.

“If I could speak to the little girl who lived in her grandmother’s house—the child who found refuge in her curiosity and trusted that education would someday help her get out—I would tell her: I am very proud of you. You did it. We made it out,” Martha reflects.

Today, as she continues her studies at UoPeople, Martha is looking ahead with renewed hope. Her goal is no longer simply to get through difficult circumstances, but to keep learning, pursue meaningful work, and make room for a future in which she can thrive.