You hear cheers and congratulations erupting from the courtroom you’re sitting in. There’s 30 or so people also in the room celebrating that they are now U.S. citizens. For instructional student, Burcu, this is a recent memory that happened during her naturalization ceremony in February. Burcu has been working towards passing her naturalization exam with her tutor, Carol, and this is her journey to get to that moment.
The Journey
For eight years, Burcu has built a life in the U.S. centered around her family. She moved here with her husband from Turkey! She is also a mother of two young children, ages three and six. Inspired by her husband, who had already become a citizen, she hoped to one day get her citizenship too.
Although Burcu came to the U.S. with some experience speaking English, true immersion brought new challenges. Everyday conversations, unfamiliar pronunciations, and the nuances of grammar required patience and persistence. So, two years ago she was introduced to Literacy Rochester and her tutor, Carol. The pair started with a focus on grammar, but that quickly evolved into finding resources and support for taking the naturalization exam.
They addressed everything that could potentially be on the exam from U.S. history to pronunciation. The two remember the struggle of annunciating words with the “th” sound and consonants that blend together, something uncommon in Turkic language. To build confidence with conversations, Carol even recruited her husband so Burcu could listen to different speaking styles and accents. With each session, Burcu’s confidence in passing the exam and connecting with the world around her grew. Through it all, Carol always acted as a voice of encouragement which made all the difference in Burcu’s learning experience.
“I feel very special and so good because Carol believes in me,” Burcu shared.
The Good News
In January 2026, Burcu passed her exam! When Burcu received the news, she immediately informed Carol and both were overwhelmed with emotions. “We were both crying with joy,” Carol recalled. The following month Burcu was officially naturalized; with Carol there to witness and cheer!
For Burcu, citizenship means more than a milestone, it’s a way to stand alongside her family in a new way. Now, when they travel, her passport matches her children’s, something her little ones always pointed out! It’s a symbol of belonging, commitment, and possibility.
Burcu hopes to secure a part-time job later this year and continue to support her family. She and Carol still meet regularly, practicing everyday conversations and small talk skills. Today, Burcu is not only a new citizen, but she’s also an inspiration to future adult learners.
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