When Jin Kyung Choo (preferred name Jo) first arrived in Australia from South Korea over 20 years ago, she brought with her a pair of scissors, a bright smile, and a dream. Her hairdressing skills helped her build a new life in Sydney – but as she says, “everything was new – the language, the culture, even the Vegemite!”
Between raising her family and working hard in the salon, Jo didn’t have much time to study English. But she never let go of the dream.
“I always told myself, ‘one day I will learn more,’” she says. “Well, that one day finally came — about 20 years later!”
An Award-Winning Story of Learning and Perseverance
Jo’s inspiring journey touched the hearts of our tutors when she shared it in her piece “Learning for Life: Why I Keep Going,” which won First Place in the 2025 MCC Writing Competition.
Her story beautifully captures what lifelong learning is all about – courage, persistence, and the belief that it’s never too late to grow.
Last year, Jo enrolled in a Certificate IV in Disability Support course at Macquarie Community College’s Blacktown campus, taught by Jodi Crozier.
“It wasn’t easy because English is my second language,” Jo recalls. “Sometimes I wanted to give up because I couldn’t understand everything. But Jodi was amazing – very kind and patient. I couldn’t have finished without her encouragement.”
Completing that course gave Jo something even more valuable than a qualification — confidence.
“When I finished, I was so proud of myself. It made me want to keep learning.”
Continuing the Journey: Learning English at MCC
Today, Jo is studying Advanced English at MCC’s Epping campus with teacher Tracy Li.
“She explains everything clearly and patiently,” Jo says. “Every week I learn new words, practice speaking, and improve my grammar. Good English helps me in life, at work, and even when I watch Netflix without subtitles!”
For Jo, learning English has been life-changing.
“When I started hairdressing in Sydney, I couldn’t understand what clients wanted – I just smiled a lot! Now I can communicate better, and my clients feel confident knowing I won’t give them a mullet by mistake,” she laughs.
The Joy of English Learning
As Jo puts it, “When I was young, learning was for exams or finding work. Now, learning is for me. It makes me happy, keeps my brain active, and stops me from watching too much K-drama!”
She has found a welcoming community at MCC:
“I’ve met lovely people in my class. We talk, laugh, and help each other. Everyone is different, but we all share one goal — to learn and grow.”
Jo now plans to continue exploring new courses – from computers to cooking, even painting. “There’s no end to learning,” she says. “It keeps life interesting and makes me feel more connected.”
A Message of Inspiration
Jo’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to learn.
“Learning makes me happy and gives me inner strength,” she says. “I can dream bigger with consistent learning and perseverance. This is why I keep going — I want to learn as much as I can, for as long as my brain works!”
At Macquarie Community College, we’re proud to celebrate Jo’s achievement and her powerful message that learning can transform not only skills, but confidence, purpose, and joy.
Explore our English courses and Enrol today!
