When it comes to returning to school as an adult, most adult learners face challenges that their peers do not have to overcome. They are often the oldest of their classmates, must work while attending school and more. Already facing these challenges, Amy Xue, adult programs coordinator at College Now, had to overcome an additional barrier: attending a school where she did not know the primary language.

In 2016, Amy’s family moved to the United States from Guangdong, China, following job opportunities. Amy recalls struggling to find a job when she first moved here, as the job application process in the United States is “completely different” than it is in China. Amy eventually landed a job in manufacturing at Little Tikes, which gave her the experience and motivation she needed to return to school. Despite having earned almost all of the credits needed to earn her associate’s degree in China, Amy’s credits did not transfer over to any schools in the United States, which prompted her to start over and return to school at the University of Akron as an adult learner.
Overcoming the language barrier was a significant hurdle during her time at the University of Akron. Starting with limited English proficiency upon her arrival in the United States, Amy immersed herself in language learning, even recording lectures and seeking support from her peers and professors. Reflecting on her college days, Amy vividly recalls moments of nervousness during public speaking assignments, a challenge amplified by English being her second language. Public speaking is a critical part of the curriculum for business majors, so Amy had no way to work around it. However, her classmates’ encouragement and her determination helped her overcome this challenge. Amy also utilized campus resources, such as English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and immersed herself in English through movies and conversations with her brother, who was also actively learning the language.

After graduating from the University of Akron in 2021 with a degree in international business and entrepreneurship, Amy’s journey continued with AmeriCorps at College Now, where she discovered a passion for assisting adult learners returning to education. This experience shaped her career path as an adult programs coordinator. Despite her initial aspirations in business, her roles at College Now deepened her desire to support others like herself who seek educational opportunities later in life. “I see myself in a lot of our clients and felt a calling to help,” she says. Amy thrives on helping others, a trait instilled by her parents’ encouragement and her own drive for personal growth. Her story demonstrates that hurdles, while sometimes setbacks, are a critical part of the educational journey and can lead us to where we are meant to be.