When Yanfan Huang first arrived in Australia from China, her focus was simple: support her family and build a stable life for her children. At first, she assumed she would need to take whatever work she could get.
“I sent my resume to everywhere I could,” she says. “But then I would think to myself: is this really how I want my career to be?”
“I decided, no way. I don’t want to waste my time. I want to aim high and have a colourful career. I want to work in a job that I am passionate about.”
The first step was learning English. VU felt like a natural place to start: the Sunshine campus was within walking distance to home, and her husband had already successfully completed his English as an Additional Language studies there.
One course led to another. Yanfan progressed through Certificates II, III and IV in English language studies before enrolling in Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. She later completed a diploma and is now studying a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.
The transition wasn’t easy. “I failed my first assessment during my Cert III in Early Childhood Education” she says. “It made me question whether I belonged in the classroom.”
Instead of giving up, she began building her own systems to keep up — translating notes into Mandarin, creating portfolios for each subject, and seeking support whenever she needed it.
“The most important thing is that teachers are there to help you,” she says. “They’re always available and they’re incredibly patient. They helped me build confidence and understand what I needed to be doing.”
She also credits VU’s broader support services, including the Learning Hub, VUHQ and library staff with helping her succeed. “All of these resources are so amazing,” she says. “VU is incredible in this way.”
Over time her confidence grew. So did her ambitions. She found herself drawn to early childhood education not just as a career path, but as something deeply personal.
“My philosophy is that a golden childhood will support you for life, but a negative experience in early childhood will take a lifetime to heal,” she says.
“My number one motivation is ensuring I’m the best parent for my two children, but I also want to have a positive impact on other children. The best way I can do that is by becoming a teacher.”
During her placement at an early learning centre, Yanfan’s calm and thoughtful approach stood out. Before completing her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, she was offered casual work at the centre which she undertook while continuing to study.
At the same time, she became a source of encouragement for other students navigating similar challenges — particularly those studying in a second language or returning to education later in life.
She often shares her study strategies, helps classmates from a range of language backgrounds understand the coursework, and encourages students who are struggling with confidence.
“I shared my experience of struggling at the start, and how I kept going for my children,” she says. “She told me later that it helped her feel less alone and to stick with it.”