When Bumi Oh and her family left South Korea and moved to the U.S. during the pandemic, she had no idea that she'd become a college graduate and preschool teacher in just four years. 

"My oldest child wished to pursue higher education in the United States, and that became a catalyst for our entire family to move here," she explained.

With a desire to learn English, Oh discovered Wake Tech and enrolled in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) courses in the summer of 2020. "Taking classes online was challenging, but I worked hard and received the precious gift of learning the basics of my new language."

Oh had earned a bachelor's degree in Asian Languages and Cultures from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in 2000 and had always aspired to teach young children. So, in the fall of 2021, she enrolled in Wake Tech's Early Childhood Education program to pursue an Associate in Applied Science degree.

"I knew right away I had found my passion," she said.

As an adult learner, Oh appreciates the high-quality, relationship-based education she received at Wake Tech and says it was a new experience. "My schooling in Korea was grounded heavily in the memorization of facts and was quite competitive. At Wake Tech, the instructors connected with me to get to know me and let me know they would not leave me behind. My education here has been focused on growth and learning, not just the grade."

Malinda Rathbone, one of her instructors, says Oh's eagerness for teaching young children shows in everything she does.

"Bumi works hard and always goes above and beyond," Rathbone said. "She has very high standards for herself, and she sees the best in everyone she meets and makes other students feel valued. She is going to be an outstanding addition to the teaching profession."

In addition to her degree, Oh completed two Early Childhood Education certificates and made the President's List and Dean's List. She was also the 2024 recipient of the Dwight O. Ryan Outstanding Student of the Year Award for her compassion, dedication and strong work ethic. She plans to work as a preschool teacher and hopes to continue her studies.

Oh says the most impactful part of her Wake Tech experience was her practicum working in a local preschool, where she had the opportunity to develop and implement hands-on activities for young children, such as reading, drawing, building and dramatic play. 

"I witnessed firsthand the joy and enthusiasm they exhibited when they were allowed to express themselves freely and explore their curiosity," she said. "This experience not only reinforced my passion for early childhood education but also enhanced my ability to create engaging and developmentally appropriate experiences for young learners."

Oh says she's grateful for Wake Tech. "Wake Tech has had a profound impact on my life," she said. "It provided me with the knowledge, skills and confidence to excel. The supportive environment and dedicated instructors helped me grow both personally and professionally."