Claudelle Colin is a doctor and hopes to practice medicine in the United States. She moved to New Jersey from Haiti in April because of political instability in that country and is studying English at the New Community Adult Learning Center.
Colin has always been ambitious. After graduating from high school, she decided to study medicine in Cuba, which she did for seven years and became a doctor. She returned to Haiti and worked with sick people for nine years.
She has a passion for medicine and caring for the sick. Although it was difficult to leave her family, she ultimately decided to pursue medical education in Cuba.
“I decided to fulfill my dream because it was my biggest goal,” she said.
This year, she moved from her family again to improve her situation.
“I learned in life you have to have patience and not be afraid to start over,” she said.
Colin decided that she needed to learn English so that she can communicate effectively with others.
“English helps me to listen more easily when people are talking with me and around me,” she said.
Learning English is Colin’s first step toward practicing medicine again.
“My plan for the future is to take the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination and work here as a doctor,” she said.
Family is very important to Colin. Most of her relatives live in Haiti, including her parents and one of her sisters. Another sister lives in Chicago. Although there is physical distance between them, they are still close and supportive.
“The most important people in my life are my family,” Colin said. “My family supports me in all things in life.”
The New Community Adult Learning Center serves students who are 16 years old and older and out of the school system. It provides a comprehensive array of day, evening and Saturday educational programs to prepare students for a vocational or college education. Courses include English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Citizenship, Computers, Adult Basic Education (ABE), Pre-High School Equivalency (HSE) and HSE. The Adult Learning Center is located at 563 Orange St., Newark. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please call 973-558-5536 for additional information.
