This edition of student spotlight introduces Ms. Sara Franco Bustamante, a part-time student attending classes with the ESL@SetonHall intensive English program on campus. Outside of her English language studies, Sara works full-time as an Au Pair near the South Orange campus. Sara responded by email to a series of interview questions. Here is her story.

Before you started the Au Pair job and joined us on campus, what were you doing in your home country of Colombia?

I got my undergraduate degree in psychology in December 2020, then I started to work as a clinical psychologist attending to patients. At the same time, I was also working in the field of organizational psychology. Then, I decided to come to United States with an Au Pair program in order to improve my English, discover this country, and seek personal growth.

What is your daily life like as an Au Pair in the NJ/NYC area?

I have a set routine. Everyday I start at 7am to tend to my morning duties for the host family. After that, I have free time, so I go to Seton Hall University to take my ESL class. Afterwards I work out at the gym. After that, I have lunch and some time to myself. During the afternoons, I'm doing my Au Pair work. I love spending time with the children of the host family. I enjoy practicing my English with them and teaching them Spanish.

How will the English classes help you in your future goals and aspirations?

The ESL class provides me tools to speak with fluency and to follow grammar rules. It also helps me to widen my vocabulary and to develop academic English. The class is very interesting because we are exploring academic fields earning knowledge about the field itself while also acquiring new English vocabulary. One of my future goals is to do a cultural exchange. In my ESL class I am certainly able to meet people from other cultures, listen to different accents, and to make new friends.

What will you be doing five years from now?

I will be working as a psychologist but with the added plus of knowledge in English, my second language. Since English is a global language, I can be of service to foreign people in Colombia who are working for an international company or who are part of my profession of psychology. In addition, I'm interested in learning an additional language after English and completing a masters degree in Neuropsychology.

We in the ESL@SetonHall intensive English program have absolute confidence that Sara will tackle her future goals with great success. As Sara continues forward in her professional and academic goals, she will always have our support here at Seton Hall University.

The academic-based ESL@SetonHall intensive English program prepares individuals for success in undergraduate and graduate programs in the United States. During morning coursework, students study reading, writing, listening, and speaking using academic materials. During afternoon coursework, students select from a range of elective classes including TOEFL Preparation, Digital Media Publishing, Pronunciation Skills, among others.

Categories: Education