In the summer of 2024 we shared a newsletter article, Career Success Through Classroom Connections, and we are excited to share an uplifting story of success from learner Nubia, who found career assistance and opportunities through her time with the English Empowerment Center. We are pleased to hear of her incredible success as she is pursuing her dreams in the United States.
My New Life in the United States by Nubia
I arrived in the United States on November 24, 2024, after almost 20 years of waiting. During that time, I had a son who is now 15 years old.
Coming to the United States meant reuniting with my parents, brothers, and nephews. It was a great joy and, at the same time, a great challenge for my son and for me, because we had to start from zero.
Arriving in a new place, far from our friends and jobs, was difficult. For my son, it also meant changing schools and leaving our home and our personal space. In addition, we had the challenge of learning a new language.
Two days after arriving in the United States, with the help of my mom, I decided to attend the conversation meetings offered by the Thomas Jefferson Library to practice speaking English. It was there that I received information that James Lee offered English classes and other programs at the EEC.
On December 17, I was able to enroll at the EEC. It was a very exciting day and a big change in my life: in Peru I was a teacher, and now I was going to be a student learning English. I had studied the language in my country, but the pronunciation and intonation here are very different.
Then the December holidays arrived, and it was my first Christmas and New Year with my family. In Peru there are many traditions to welcome the New Year. For me, the best wish is to thank God and the universe for all the opportunities we have today, ask for forgiveness, forgive others, and declare our wishes for the future.
At the EEC, I started at Level 3 in the spring class. Not only did I improve my English, but I also gained confidence. With the help of my teachers, I listened carefully to every piece of advice and put it into practice.
I also took advantage of the after-class support program, where I practiced dialogues and computer programs. Thanks to that support program, I was able to create my résumé and practice for future job interviews.
In April, I had three interviews at preschools. The first one was in person. The second was on Zoom, which was a little more difficult because it required good listening skills, and at that moment it was still challenging for me. The third interview was visiting another preschool in person, following my teachers’ advice.
That same month, I was hired by the preschool where I had the Zoom interview. The other two schools also called me, but by then I was already in my training week, ready to start working at the school and caring for children—everything I had dreamed of.
At the school where I work, I made a commitment to myself: to repeat every word in English to improve my vocabulary. Sometimes it is difficult, but I keep practicing.
At the end of May, an EEC volunteer introduced me to a possible place to move, and by June 28, my son and I were already living in our new apartment. At that moment, I felt that everything was part of what I had wished for on New Year’s Eve.
Now, if someone asks me where or how to improve their English, I give them the address of James Lee at the EEC. There you will not only learn the language, but you will also find excellent teachers. They help you write your résumé, prepare you for job interviews, and help you find new opportunities.
I am very grateful for the support of my teachers and every volunteer who was in my EEC classroom. I also thank my classmates for their advice and support.