KEY POINTS:
Sitting with aspiring bachelor of social work students decades younger than herself, Metua Rakei turned around and walked out of her entry interview.
"I was saying to myself, 'I'm too old for this'," said the proud mother and grandmother. "I think at that time, my self esteem was low."
Thankfully, she was talked around.
She went back, won a place, and will graduate from the University of Auckland this month - four years on - at age 46.
A social worker at Child, Youth and Family in Papakura, she is the first of the Manukau Family Literacy Programme participants to finish university.
She is being held up as a role model for Adult Learners' Week, which kicks off today.
The festivities are diverse, including workshops by Auckland City Libraries showing participants how to text on a mobile phone, blog or trade online.
Awards for outstanding learners will be received around the country.
The week aims to widen access to learning for people outside the compulsory schooling system and celebrate the achievements of the 500,000 adult learners a year who join in lessons.
Spokeswoman Mary Gavigan said adult learners were particularly brave, because they often took a chance after earlier, negative time in the classroom.
Ms Rakei said her schooling in the Cook Islands went well but she had to leave teacher training after getting pregnant when unmarried.
She eventually went to work to help her family as a shop assistant, later getting job as a waitress then doing administration work for a resort.
She arrived in New Zealand in 2000 needing a kidney transplant. Living in a new place coupled with poor health, knocked Ms Rakei's confidence.
She said her grandson Murray, then 7, encouraged her back into the classroom by nagging her in 2003.
Rowandale School in Manurewa, where Murray went, was among the first to sign up for the City of Manukau Education Trust's Manukau Family Literacy Programme, which expanded to 80 families this year.
Ms Rakei joined in, which meant she spent 20 minutes a day helping Murray with school work, worked towards papers at AUT, and used a computer for the first time.
The next year, she got into the social work programme and despite challenging circumstances she got through.
"For me, it's a shock that I've finished it," said Ms Rakei. "I never knew I would be able to make it through. I'm proud I've done it."
She said the experience boosted her confidence and she was determined to finish.
She hoped to pass her passion for learning on to her family and that others would see the opportunities further education can lead to.
As for more study, Ms Rakei said it's on the horizon. "Later on. We'll see how this year goes first."
ADULT LEARNERS WEEK AIMS TO
* Strengthen adult and community education
* Widen access to learning
* Celebrate the sector's efforts and achievements
