Former Venezuelan attorney builds a new life in U.S. one word, one conversation, one dream at a time
Yessika’s path from Venezuela to the U.S. was filled with hope—and sacrifice. She left behind a career as a lawyer for a life in the U.S. she thought would be temporary.
“Life as an immigrant is hard,” she says, “to leave your life, family, everything.” Like many Venezuelans, Yessika initially held on to hope that her country’s political situation might improve. But as time passed with little change, she began to focus on building a future in the U.S.— one that meant adapting to a new language and culture.
Her first few years here were challenging. “There are a lot of barriers because of the language,” Yessika reflects. Her early job on a Mexican food truck gave her few opportunities to practice English, as most customers and coworkers spoke Spanish.
“With the passion of my instructors, it’s possible for me to learn.”
It wasn’t until she took a job in retail that she began to experience the full weight of these barriers—and their impact on her self-confidence. In one instance, a customer asked the price of an item in English and Yessika responded appropriately. Another customer then approached and spoke to her in Spanish. The first customer shot back, "You live in the U.S. English is spoken here." Tension shot through the store causing Yessika distress. I felt discriminated against, frustrated, and angry.” The negative experiences only deepened Yessika’s resolve to improve her English and become fully part of her community.
Yessika’s progress has been hard-won. Pronunciation, with its nuances and unpredictability, has been one of her biggest challenges. “English is very different from Spanish,” she notes, explaining the frustration she sometimes feels when she struggles to find the right words or tense. Yet in those moments, she’s learned to pause, take a deep breath, and push forward. Her resilience is a testament to her drive—and to the support of her teachers, who have been a constant source of encouragement. “With the passion of my instructors, it’s possible for me to learn,” she exclaims.
Today, Yessika’s confidence shines in moments that once felt insurmountable. At work, she can now communicate with customers and supervisors, sometimes even impressing higher-ups with her English. Recently, she was able to request time off from an upper-level supervisor and explain her reasons clearly—a moment that filled her with pride. “In those moments, I feel like I’m in the clouds,” she shares, smiling. Each interaction, each new phrase mastered, brings her closer to her brings her closer to her goal of full fluency.
“I want to attend college and speak high-level technical English,” she says, her eyes bright with determination. “Maybe in two more years I can begin university. I have advanced a lot, but I want everything.”
But Yessika’s ambitions extend far beyond day-to-day conversations. Her dream is to help people resolve conflicts, possibly in a government office. “I want to attend college and speak high-level technical English,” she says, her eyes bright with determination. “Maybe in two more years I can begin university. I have advanced a lot, but I want everything.”
Reflecting on her journey, Yessika is proud—not only of her progress in English but of the growth she’s seen in herself. “I am now more secure in myself. More confident. If I practice, all is possible.”
Looking back, Yessika knows she made the right decision in coming to the Permian Basin Adult Learning Center. She tried other programs, both in Venezuela and in the U.S. but none had the personal touch she found here. “The teachers really care,” she explains. “They care when something is happening in your life or when you miss class.”
In those quiet moments, whether studying after a long day at work or helping a customer in English, Yessika is reminded of just how far she’s come—and how much further she has yet to go. She may have left her country behind, but in the U.S., she’s building a new life, one word, one conversation, and one dream at a time.