Students at East Side Adult Education Center are taking the initiative of self-promotion through education. She goes to school after a full day of work as an office assistant for an electronics company in Santa Clara. Mendosa's reasons for learning English is similar to those of most students. Although the classes are free, barriers to education are not uncommon at East Side Adult Education and most are economic. Students must pay for their books and school supplies.
Many students work during the day and go to class at night.
Others lose quality time with their families to go to class. Child care is not provided by the center, so students must also find childcare for their children. Mendosa feels that life will be easier with an education. There isn't anyone anywhere in the world who doesn't understand the value of an education, even the poorest understand that.