A mother, a worker, a student. Cherry Mae Ladja, a graduate of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Master of ASEAN Studies (MAS) program from Zamboanga, found a spark in learning through UPOU. Despite the challenges of balancing life responsibilities, Cherry Mae still had a better appreciation for learning because of UPOU.
When she started seeking universities that offer distance learning, Cherry Mae found herself enrolling in UPOU. UPOU allowed Cherry Mae to pursue her studies in the comfort of her own home while juggling work and motherhood.
Her experience at UPOU has ignited her passion for learning, even though the learning experience is different from the traditional classroom setup. This learning experience made Cherry Mae an independent learner, studying on her own and helping herself find learning resources.
While navigating through the online learning environment presented challenges, especially in getting to know classmates personally, Cherry Mae thrived on the unique interactions and participation it fostered. She even admits that she’ll miss the virtual connections she made after graduation.
Cherry Mae’s love for learning allowed her to balance her work, motherhood, and academics despite all the challenges she encountered. Her advice for future students, especially mothers, is to consider enrolling in UPOU because it will give them a lot of flexibility in studying while working and taking care of their families.
Written by Zyrene Edrei Villanueva ♦ Edited by Myra C. Almodiel and Anna Cañas-Llamas
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