I was born in a country that has not known peace in decades. I was raised with a completely different concept about education. Education as a fundamental right was seen as something difficult to achieve when schools were improvised and often interrupted due to the escalation of the political situation in the occupied Palestine. From a young age, I was faced with difficulties in my everyday, unpredictable life, never knowing where it would get me; until I found myself in a country that I could not even imagine excited, so far away and so much different from the country I was born in. 

Coming to Iceland was a shock, even though I was greeted with care and respect I was not used to, I still could not cope with such a sudden change. I soon started learning the language and culture to integrate into the Icelandic society. I was convinced by that time that education at my age was only a dream that was fading continuously. But living in a society that believes in human values, appreciates, and accepts individual differences, I was given a new perspective, a chance to continue my education. In my forties, I got a BA in Sociology, and in my fifties, I became a member of the Icelandic parliament. The first woman of foreign origin to ever sit in the Icelandic Parliament. 

This story is an example which I use to practically show how adult education with its specificities has an enormous impact on society in general; particularly for people who are willing to prosper despite their age or level of education. This personal experience made me continue my devotion as an adult educator. An everyday challenge that involves physical and emotional effort to achieve results; teaching methods are new and have to continuously be updated and improved which is an extra burden to educators.  But as hard and challenging it seems, it is that much rewarding to see the results of my work and be able to feel the joy of success all over again but this time through my students.