For Sattina O., education has been a journey of personal achievement and empowerment. As a child in a rural area of Eritrea, she did not have the opportunity to receive a formal education. Although she grew up speaking Belen and Tigre, and later learned Tigrinya, she did not read or write in any language. She later taught herself to read and write in Arabic and English. Through hard work, she eventually earned her GED, an accomplishment that gave her the confidence to continue her education.

“Studying English as an adult was my first experience with formal education,” Sattina says. “I realized that if I could teach myself and eventually obtain my GED, then anyone can obtain their education.”

This fall, Sattina begins her third semester in ACC’s ESOL Program. She is focused on strengthening her English reading, writing, speaking, and communication skills to prepare for future college coursework. Her long-term goal is to become a social worker by first earning an associate degree at ACC and then a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Sattina says that she hopes to use her own experiences overcoming barriers to encourage others, particularly women and children who may face restrictions or have not yet recognized what they are capable of achieving. “Just like I was able to overcome my obstacles to learning and get to where I am, I would like to show others that there are no age limits and that you can become what you want,” she explains.

Sattina is grateful for her ESOL classes, which have helped her become a more confident communicator. Improving her English pronunciation has made it easier for others to understand her, and learning about the writing process has changed how she approaches a skill she once found overwhelming. She also spends her free time reading for pleasure and to improve her English reading skills.

Her advice to other ESOL students is to “take your time, don’t give up, and focus on building a strong foundation rather than simply finishing the program.”

“It has been a lot of hard work to get here, as I had to build myself up. But I did not let that discourage me, and I am very proud of myself,” Sattina says. “I want others to know that they can be whatever they want to be.”