Khadija’s journey from Casablanca to the United States has been filled with challenges and triumphs as she navigated a new life and language barriers to build a better future for herself and her family. With a bachelor’s degree in physics, Khadija arrived in the U.S. in 2011 to join her husband. When her son was born, she was determined to provide him with the best upbringing but faced the challenge of communicating with him as he only spoke English, a language she was not proficient in at the time. Motivated by her love for her son and her desire to bridge the language gap, Khadija made the decision to learn English. She encountered language barriers but persevered, taking beginners’ classes and gradually improving her English language skills. Her dedication and hard work paid off as she successfully passed the United States citizenship exam and obtained her driver’s license, both in English. With the support of a scholarship from First Literacy and guidance from her mentors and advisors, Khadija enrolled at Mount Wachusett Community College, where she is currently taking accounting and academic English classes. She sees herself as a role model for those around her, including her son and friends, as her perseverance and hard work have led to academic success and valuable achievements.