Karen was born in the Cape Verde Islands and grew up dreaming of studying law in the United States. Despite her determination, the high cost of international education made that dream feel out of reach. After high school, she worked tirelessly—taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), applying to colleges, and seeking financial aid—but the opportunities didn’t materialize. Instead, Karen moved to Portugal at 18, where she earned a law degree and a postgraduate certificate in Business Law. In 2023, after years of balancing work and study, she passed the bar exam and officially became an attorney.
Karen’s legal career was thriving, but life took an unexpected turn when she moved to the United States. She realized she couldn’t practice law here right away, and her limited English made the transition even harder. When she discovered El Centro, the free ESOL program helped her rebuild her confidence and language skills, eventually leading her to Boston and Bunker Hill Community College, where she is now enrolled in the Paralegal Program.
Karen is determined to restart her legal career in the U.S., using her skills and background to support immigrant communities. Her passion for justice, inspired by her grandfather—a public notary in Cape Verde—continues to guide her. With the support of the First Literacy Scholarship, Karen is building a new path forward, proving that it’s never too late to begin again.