Claudia Norton
Learning English for Love--and Loving It!
Many people come to the United States because of business or perhaps because of the American dream. I came here because I fell in love. I met my future husband during Carnival in Brazil. I moved to New York, and we were married that year. My husband had already learned Portuguese, but I didn’t speak English yet.

In the beginning I didn't learn English as fast as I would have wished, but then LaGuardia came into my life and everything changed. I began studying at The English Language Center. Here, every single student has something to share. Students and teachers learn with each other day by day. It's just an amazing experience.

Nowadays I can go out with my husband and do not feel like a stranger who doesn't know what to say and how to say things. I feel incredibly confident. I have also been working as a “learning leader” in the public school system and hope to finish my master’s degree.

LaGuardia didn't only give me English but enriched my life with multiculturalism and entertainment. You are in my heart forever. I love you, my college, my second home.

Ms. Norton was is currently studying for her Master's Degree at Hunter College.