“My name is Renata Nascimento. I was born in the city of Niteroi, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It’s a city of 600,000 people, located on Guanabara Bay. I grew up in a small family – my mother, my sister and me.

How did you learn about Alison?

I don’t remember exactly, but it was in 2012. I was going through a period of depression and the only way I felt better was by studying. Alison helped me.

What was your first course on Alison, and why did you choose it?

Diploma in English Language and Literature. I was inspired to take this course by my mother, who is resting in heaven. She introduced me to many songs in English, but we couldn’t understand them. I wanted to learn to translate the songs she loved to hear so that she could understand what was being sung. Songs by The Carpenters, Dionne Warwick, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Kirk Franklin and Walter Hawkings. She was, and still is, my inspiration and motivation. I’ve stayed committed to my original purpose because of her. I’m still studying English as if she were here, asking me to help her understand the lyrics.

How have Alison courses affected your career?

Alison has affected my life in an extremely positive way. Through Alison, I gained a Diploma in English, which has served as proof of my proficiency in the language. In Brazil, you need English to work for large companies, even though Portuguese is the native language.

Where are you working and what are you studying now?

Right now, I’m unemployed and am looking for a job. I’m studying foreign trade, while also taking short courses on English.

What’s next for you, in terms of education or work?

I want to learn as much English as possible so I can pass the English as a Second Language test. In terms of work, I want to find a job for a company that will recognize both my work and my linguistic efforts.

If you could learn absolutely anything in the world from an Alison course, what would it be?

Business Strategies and more languages because Alison are great at language courses.

What would you say to someone if they asked you about Alison? Would you recommend it and why?

It can be difficult nowadays to believe that you can get something good for free, but with Alison, this is possible. If you make the effort, you can earn diplomas, certificates and recognition of your studies. I would recommend Alison because it’s been good for me and I’ve seen positive results.