Learning to live in my new home
by
LESLY CASTANO
- May 22, 2025
- 4 mins story
1. Please tell us your name (unless you prefer to be anonymous), a little about who you are, and what motivated you to join an adult education class or program.
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My name is Lesly. I'm from Colombia. I arrived in the United States three and a half years ago. Arriving in a country where almost everything is new can feel overwhelming, and if you don't know the language, it can be even worse. I'm a friendly person, and I discovered that if I didn't speak the language, I wouldn't be able to make friends. Additionally, I have a 13-year-old daughter, and I needed to communicate with her school and be part of her learning process. Even if I wanted to find a job, I would need to speak English. For all these reasons, I decided to look into an adult education program.
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2. What has changed in your life since you started your adult education class? How has adult education helped to support your goals and plans for the future?00:00Since starting my adult education class, my life has been transformed by a newfound confidence and adaptability . Being able to communicate has been huge. I now feel like a genuine part of the community, because I can understand news, make and respond to calls, and even read messages from my daughter's school. This newfound confidence is empowering my future plans. I feel much more secure and ready to launch my own business because I now have the communication tools to connect with others. I'm also able to make new friends and explore places confidently. It's truly opened up my world.
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3. What do you think would be different about NY or the world if everyone had the opportunity and support to continue their education?00:00If everyone had the chance and support to continue their education, I believe the world would be a different place. English, being a universal language , is a powerful example of this; knowing it unlocks communication almost anywhere you go. Broad access to education would lead to a significant improvement in people's quality of life , opening doors to get better job opportunities and allowing for better interaction. the inability to speak a second language often limit people's horizons.