Oluchi Ann Ogudu-Okor from Nigeria became frustrated with the way teaching was carried out in her home country. A growing desire to improve education set her on a new path, leading her to look for opportunities beyond her home country. Oluchi noted that Finland stood out to her while she was researching countries with strong education systems. That discovery led her to the Master’s Degree Programme in Educational Sciences at JYU, where the specialisation in Global and Sustainable Education felt like the perfect fit.
Torn between continuing as an “earth doctor,” as we geology students call ourselves, and becoming a full-blown educational activist was truly the beginning of my JYU journey. My story is one that grew from anger to love. My name is Oluchi Ann Ogudu-Okor, a Nigerian, and I am now a first-year master’s student in the Educational Sciences programme at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland.
A student’s frustration with ineffective teaching methods
The seed was planted in secondary school. I often struggled with certain subjects, not because I wasn’t smart enough, but because the teaching methods didn’t make learning clear. Many students, including me, were left confused. Deep inside, I felt learning should be much more engaging than it was.
Education is the foundation of personal growth, economic development, and peace.
During my undergraduate studies in geology, I noticed the same problem. The course was supposed to be exciting and hands-on, yet classes often felt boring. This frustration pushed me to start researching education, and I soon realised the challenges went far beyond classrooms, there was a general decline in the quality of education. That worried me, because education is the foundation of personal growth, economic development, and peace.
From frustration to action: embracing the need for change in education
To understand the system better, I worked as a teacher for two years. Those classrooms gave me more satisfaction than any geology lab ever did. Teaching felt like a calling, and I finally had the chance to give my students the kind of learning experience I had once wished for.
Wanting to grow further, I launched my YouTube channel, Diary of a Cute Educator, to talk about education issues. Still, I knew I needed more knowledge.
Discovering specialisation to Global and Sustainable Education was a true jackpot
While researching countries with strong education systems, Finland stood out. The Master’s Degree Programme in Educational Sciences at JYU caught my attention, and the specialisation in Global and Sustainable Education was the jackpot for me.
The application process was really easy and stress-free from the admissions, down to my arrival in Jyväskylä. The University’s admission team and HelpJYU were so supportive.
I applied through the joint application system, had my interview in March, and in April, I received my admission letter. I remember being in a teachers’ meeting when my phone beeped and I checked. There it was sitting pretty in my email. It was my admission letter. I was so excited, but I had to compose myself, as I was in a meeting.
The application process was really easy and stress-free from the admissions, down to my arrival in Jyväskylä.
I am currently in my first year as I mentioned before and I cannot wait to experience all JYU has in store for me.
Read more: Master's Degree Programme in Educational Sciences
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