Zimbabwean student Samantha, 25, had always loved academia, but despite being offered opportunities to attend universities in several different countries, the course costs were a barrier she was unable to overcome. Samantha was determined not to give up on her dream of postgraduate study and a career in translation, so she set her sights on finding another way to get there.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d had a bad experience of online learning in the past, but I knew that I couldn\u2019t afford to go to a campus-based university,\u201d says Samantha. \u201cSo, I searched for top online universities and The Open University came up. When I found out that I could fit the course around work and fund my own studies, I knew I had to give it a go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite her reservations about distance learning, Samantha enrolled on the OU\u2019s Translation MA and couldn\u2019t believe how accessible she found the course. \u201cI was blown away by how the content was structured and the huge amount of support on offer,\u201d she says. \u201cTutors always responded to emails quickly and they gave detailed feedback, which really helped me to develop.\u201d<\/p>\n
Samantha went on to say, \u201cThe OU understands that life doesn\u2019t always go according to plan. I\u2019m so grateful for the support I received when my nephew was critically ill. The tutors did everything they could to enable me to succeed. Their compassion meant the world to me, at what was a very difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Working full-time as a teacher, Samantha was at school all day and in the evenings had lessons to plan and marking to complete. She describes how it was possible to fit everything in.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be honest, there were times when I felt like I was losing control, but I found this amazing will power from somewhere. I drew strength from the fact that my studies were empowering me to fulfil a long-term dream.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although Samantha yearned for a career in translation, it wasn\u2019t until she started her OU studies that she was exposed to the breadth of the subject area. \u201cI wasn\u2019t fully aware of the opportunities and different specialisms the wonderful world of translation had to offer,\u201d she explained. \u201cThe OU enabled me to build expertise and make contacts in a new industry, not to mention awarding me with a qualification that is world-class.\u201d<\/p>\n
While working on her first literary translation, Samantha still teaches part-time and gives advice to other students considering distance learning.\u00a0 Hoping to inspire other students to fulfil their potential, she wants to share her advice. \u201cWith exceptional planning and a robust support network, anything is possible. If there\u2019s something you\u2019ve always wanted to do, dive in \u2013 you\u2019re in good hands with the OU.\u201d<\/p>\n