At the graduation ceremony for students from BCNC Adult Education’s STEP into Healthcare program, we were honored to welcome back Dareen S., who graduated from BCNC Adult Education programs in 2015. Ten years later, Dareen is now thriving as a branch manager at a national bank.

Reflecting on her journey, Dareen shared with the new graduates:

“I would be lying if I said I never thought about giving up when I was a student at BCNC. There were many times when I cried and felt like going back home. It was hard. But every time I felt down, I reminded myself that I had two choices: go back to a place hurt by war, or stay, learn English, and build a new life. Being part of BCNC made me feel supported, connected, and understood.”

When Dareen first came to the U.S., she had to start over completely. War in her home country of Syria made it unsafe for her to return. The transition was challenging for Dareen and her family, and she relied heavily on her brother, who had come to the U.S. years earlier, for guidance. When she asked him how to find her way around, he would often tell her, “Google it.” Despite the difficulties, Dareen’s determination to improve her English and find meaningful work kept her moving forward.

When Dareen discovered BCNC offered free English classes, she sat on the first floor of the building praying for admission after taking her placement test. When she was accepted, she knew it was the start of a new chapter in her life. Through her courses at BCNC, Dareen’s English skills flourished, and her confidence grew that she later delivered a speech in English to hundreds of BCNC supporters.

With the support of BCNC staff, Dareen pursued her next goal: a career in banking. She enrolled in a banking and finance training program, and upon completion, she was well-prepared to enter the field. Today, she leads a branch of a national bank.

When she returned in 2025 to inspire current immigrant students, Dareen offered these words of encouragement:

“Take full advantage of everything BCNC offers. Practice speaking as much as you can, even if you make mistakes—mistakes are part of learning. Join activities, volunteer, visit the library, or work with a tutor to keep practicing. And try not to stay only with people from your own country, step out and talk to others. The more you open yourself to practice, the faster you’ll grow. Be patient with yourself. You can do this.”