Viviane’s Citizenship Story

“I moved to the U.S. from São Paulo, Brazil 26 years ago, when I was young enough to experience such a major life transition like it was an adventure. I remember being excited about it all— the new culture and the new language. As I got older, it became more of an adjustment. Yet, being in this country had been such a big achievement for my family, that it was important to face the obstacles and just keep going. I decided to focus on my education and keep moving forward. 

In Brazil, I spent so much of my time working hard, so when I got to this country I knew I wanted to spend my time doing good. Throughout my education here, I volunteered at the hospital, and it sparked my calling to work in radiology. Being here for so long and missing home, it was nice for me to build a community, not only through visiting Brazilian restaurants and markets, but also through my job. The best part about working at the hospital is my patients. I get to know them over time, and it’s a good feeling to help them and to be appreciated for my work. 

Project Citizenship was amazing. They made my application process so easy, because they made sure I always knew what to expect. They answered all my questions and emails so quickly and they made sure I always knew the timeline of the process. I attended the Framingham workshop, and I appreciated how real lawyers and attorneys were available to help with my application. Becoming a citizen, the biggest change was my ability to vote. Because of this, I have become much more invested in paying attention and reading more. I am now excited to celebrate my one-year citizenship anniversary on July 4th!”

–Viviane, Brazil

Attended Project Citizenship’s 2025 Framingham MetroWest Workshop & Naturalized in July 2025

Interview Conducted in Summer 2026 by Annie Morrison Garcia