From Nicaragua to North Carolina: Mayra’s Journey to Pursue Law in the U.S.
Meet Mayra, a former lawyer from Nicaragua, now an ESL student at Cape Fear Community College, who is on a journey to pursue a career in law in the United States. With a decade of experience as a lawyer, including five years in Nicaragua and three years in Costa Rica, Mayra’s passion for helping others has always been at the core of her career.
“I decided to become a lawyer because I love helping people,” Mayra explains. “In my work at in Nicaragua and Costa Rica, I helped employees understand and defend their rights. Now, I want to bring that same passion to helping people here in the U.S.”
The Path to Cape Fear Community College
When Mayra arrived in the U.S. five months ago, she brought with her not just a wealth of professional experience but a determination to overcome language barriers and adapt to a new legal system. Her primary goal? To improve her English skills and obtain certifications that will allow her to continue working in law, specializing in human resources.
Mayra credits Cape Fear Community College’s ESL program as the first step in achieving her goals. She notes how the program has provided her with a “safe place” to practice and improve her English, a critical skill she needs to pursue a paralegal certification at UNC Wilmington.
“The ESL program is my first toolkit for my other studies,” Mayra shares. “I need to understand everything in English to succeed in my paralegal certification, and the ESL program gives me the confidence to do that.”
Overcoming Challenges
Mayra’s transition from working as a lawyer in Nicaragua to studying law in the U.S. hasn’t been without its challenges. The biggest obstacle? Communication.
“The first day in class, I didn’t understand anything the teacher said,” she recalls. “But I decided to change my mindset. I studied hard and worked every day to improve.”
Now, Mayra is looking forward to her future in law, with hopes of specializing in human resources once again. She sees a growing need for bilingual legal professionals in Wilmington and wants to use her skills to advocate for employees in corporations.
Looking Ahead: A Career in Human Resources
“Lawyers should be there for the employees, not just the corporation,” Mayra says. “I want to help people know their rights in the workplace.”
Her journey is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. She advises other ESL students and international professionals to “never stop looking for resources” and to push forward, even when others doubt them.
Advice for Fellow Students
Mayra’s story is one of courage, growth, and the belief that, with the right support, anything is possible.
“Don’t listen to the people who say it’s not for you. Keep looking for the opportunities, and eventually, you will find someone who says ‘yes.'”
