Sandrine is an immigrant from Cameroon who came to the U.S. in January 2014. Like many other immigrants, she was seeking a better life and greater opportunities, but with many challenges to face. “I live alone and don’t have any family here.”
Although she had taken courses in Cameroon which enabled her to work as a nursing assistant here, Sandrine had limited English skills. She knew she needed more education and better English to move ahead in her career.
Sandrine took the first step by enrolling in a high-intensity ESOL class at ENB-funded Educational Development Group in Boston’s South End. This past fall, Sandrine took the next step towards success by enrolling in Bunker Hill Community College’s nursing program, and thanks to EDG’s accelerated model did not have to take pre-college ESOL courses.
Now, her future is growing brighter and success is within reach: “I really like Boston! In the future I would like- no, not ‘would like,’ I will have my family and my job. I think by that time I will be a nurse.”
Over the holidays, Sandrine will be married in Cameroon. Her soon-to-be husband is an accountant who has limited English skills. She plans to help him enroll in English classes in Boston so that he can walk in her footsteps and help build a successful life for their family.
English for New Bostonians supports customized curriculum that’s relevant to learners’ lives because we see the impact of programs like EDG on immigrants’ lives and the lives of their families — creating greater opportunities and brighter futures.
