Category: Highered

For many, pursuing higher education while balancing family, work, and personal challenges seems impossible. But for Marinyl Betanio, a Student and dedicated mother, her journey proves that with resilience and the right opportunity, anything is possible.

Marinyl’s story is one of perseverance—juggling motherhood, financial struggles, and personal hardships while pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Business through eduCLaaS. Her experience showcases how education models like eduCLaaS can empower individuals to transform their lives, no matter their circumstances.

Kyaw Naing Win, is a 20-year-old student from Yangon, Myanmar, who chose an unconventional route to education—one that prioritizes hands-on learning over traditional classroom lectures. Unlike many students who follow the well-trodden path of a Bachelor’s Degree, Kay found his passion in coding and pursued a work-integrated learning model through eduCLaaS a platform that bridges education and industry experience.

His journey wasn’t always smooth, but his persistence and adaptability allowed him to grow from a novice coder to a Technology Associate in just a few years.

For many students, traditional education systems can feel rigid and uninspiring, especially for those with a passion for modern, hands-on learning. This was the case for Ye Htet Aung who goes by Henry, a 19-year-old technology enthusiast from Myanmar, who found his calling through an alternative learning model at eduCLaaS. His journey is a testament to how personalized education can unlock potential and pave the way for success.

For many students, the traditional route after high school is clear-cut—enter college, finish a degree, and seek employment. However, this conventional approach comes with its own set of challenges. Many graduates struggle with mounting student debt, lack of practical experience, and difficulty securing jobs in their chosen fields. Traditional degree programs often focus heavily on theoretical knowledge, leaving students unprepared for real-world work demands. Additionally, the rigid structure and lengthy duration of conventional education can delay career progress, making it harder for students to adapt to the fast-evolving job market.

Not everyone has a clear vision for their future—and Gian Raphael Delos Reyes Alcantara knows that all too well. Growing up, he wasn’t the student who topped the class or breezed through exams. In fact, focus and retention were constant battles. But what he lacked in natural academic prowess, he made up for in persistence.

“I’ve never been a naturally smart student. I learn by doing—by getting my hands dirty. When I was in high school, I felt left behind. Everyone seemed to know what they wanted to do, and I was still trying to figure out how to pass my next quiz. But I knew one thing: I wanted a career that would make me feel proud and stable.”

For Joewen Arabelle Obillo, academic success was always more than just personal achievement—it was a commitment to her family. Raised by parents who ran a small business and worked tirelessly despite financial struggles, Joewen was taught the values of perseverance, discipline, and sacrifice. She carried those lessons into her school life, striving to meet high expectations and earn top grades.

But as college approached, Joewen began to see that grades weren’t enough in the real world. She needed more than academic excellence—she needed practical skills and real experience to stand out.

For Azer Gepiga Sagucio, learning was always a personal adventure. Growing up in the Philippines, he spent hours listening to music and reading books—activities that naturally fueled his love for self-learning. That curiosity led him to discover coding during senior high school, and from that moment, he knew exactly what he wanted: to become a software engineer.

With a strong academic focus and a practical mindset shaped by his family’s careful approach to finances, Azer was determined to make the most of his education—without putting too much strain on his loved ones.

His message to fellow learners? Stay curious, be proactive, and don’t underestimate the value of real-world experience.

“Focus on building hands-on skills through projects, network with professionals, and tailor your learning to your goals,” he says. “And most importantly, take time to invest in yourself.”

Like many students, Dwayne Maize Bitoon Santos approached school with a simple goal—getting through academic requirements without much distinction. He wasn’t an outstanding student, nor was he struggling; he was simply going through the motions. However, when the time came to choose a college and career path, he faced a major turning point.

Initially, Dwayne considered pursuing marine biology or nursing, two fields that intrigued him. But as he explored his options, he realized that he wanted something different—something that would provide real-world experience alongside education, rather than delaying hands-on learning until after graduation.

The journey to success often begins in the most unexpected ways. For Muhammad Ghazy Mutaqin, it started in the quiet corners of his childhood home in Bekasi, Indonesia—poring over books and tracing lines across maps. Though he wasn’t the most academically ambitious student, his curiosity and love for learning were unmistakable.

“The seeds of ambition are often planted in the simplest moments,” Ghazy reflects. “For me, those moments were spent exploring the world through books and maps.”

In high school, he followed his interest in geography and chose social studies as his major. While he enjoyed learning, he also found fulfillment in participating in school organizations and even ventured into scientific research. Despite these experiences, Ghazy found himself at a crossroads after graduation, uncertain of where to go next.

When Shivangi Priya finished high school in India, she didn’t feel triumphant. She felt lost.

Despite being a strong student with top marks in science subjects like biology, chemistry, and math, the next step wasn’t clear. College? Sure. But which one? And for what course? And more importantly—would it actually prepare her for the real world?

“I was standing at a crossroads with no signposts,” Shivangi says. “Everyone expects you to have it figured out at 18. I didn’t. And that scared me.”

This is the story of how one moment of digital curiosity—and a single decision—changed everything. It’s a story about taking control, breaking the mold, and choosing a path that leads not just to a degree, but to a future.

And if you’re standing at your own crossroads right now, it might just be the signpost you’re looking for.