“The Indo-American Center is a very good place. The people, the teachers, the supervisors are kind, very good people.”

Khadijeh Akbari, Level 2 English student

Raised in Tehran, Iran, Khadijeh Akbari moved to Chicago in March of 2010. Although her husband had perfected his English during his three years in the United States before her arrival, Khadijeh knew very little English before coming to the United States. At her husband’s recommendation, she travelled to the Indo-American Center to inquire about English classes. Since April 2010, Khadijeh has been attending English class daily.

Learning quickly, Khadijeh has progressed through Level 1 and is refining her speaking skills in Level 2. One day, she hopes to attend college and complete a nursing program, which will allow her to pursue a career in healthcare. Although she considers English a stepping stone to achieve this goal, Khadijeh also views English as critical to her day-to-day success. “I speak English when I go to the Doctor, when I go shopping, for anything,” says Khadijeh of her desire to learn English.

As an English student, Khadijeh also participates in the CONNECT program, which brings students into the computer lab each week to learn basic computer skills and learn English in another context. She considers the computer classes among her favorite class activities – opening her eyes to new places and things as she learns to type, visit websites, and practice her reading and writing.

Although Khadijeh’s determination to learn is all her own, she is very grateful for the support from her husband, who drives her several miles from a neighboring suburb each morning and picks her up each afternoon. Facing their new realities head on, they both work hard to make sure that Khadijeh can one day achieve her dreams in the United States.
 

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