Lumiere: Striving Towards Her Goals

Lumiere Dean doesn’t back away from challenges; she embraces them.  

Five months after settling in Edmonton, she enrolled in MaKami’s Business Administration program. She didn’t speak English.  

But she didn’t let the language barrier stop her in beginning a program for English speakers. 

That doesn’t mean it was easy. Despite her determination, Lumiere ran into difficulties learning English and with the program at the same time.  

“Back home, I was a lawyer, so I went to college for a very long time. I thought this program would be easy, but it was hard, so I had to push myself to achieve my goal,” she says. 

Balancing her life and college was a challenge, particularly in staying organized and meeting deadlines.  

“Sometimes I was overwhelmed with my family life, and I had to take care of my kids, too. I would call my tutor and say, ‘I cannot give this homework on time, so can you help me?’ We organized some tutoring, and that helped me a lot.” 

MaKami’s instructors, tutors, and SAS department offered her plenty of support to help her succeed.  

“At the beginning of my program, I had a financial problem and I wanted to withdraw,” she admits. “Someone from MaKami connected me to resources so that I could pay my rent. I also had help academically. My instructor, Tamara, was so encouraging. Andre, my ESL tutor, always told me I was doing well, and this really helped me.” 

Lumiere encourages students to ask for help. 

“When I came to Canada, it was hard, and I didn’t want to feel weak or poor, or like someone who always needs help. If you are a newcomer, everything is new and you have to find your place. But it’s normal to need some help, and everyone here is so kind. Just reach out.”  

Lumiere had a strong motivation to succeed. Part of her drive was proving to others that she could do it.  

“At the beginning of the program, I had many people who told me, ‘You can’t do it because it’s an English program. You are a French speaker; you will not do it.’ I wanted to show those people, ‘You say that I can’t do it — I will do it.’ “ 

Lumiere also plans to return to practicing law, and MaKami’s BA program taught her skills she can apply when she opens her own practice.  

After welcoming a new baby and completing her practicum, Lumiere graduated in March of 2026. 

“When you graduate from a program, you are proud because you achieved your goal. But when it’s in another language, it’s like you won two goals. “ 

Lumiere advises new students to be confident and begin looking for work or an internship early.  

“Be focused and listen to your instructors. If you try to practice the advice they give you, I think it is really helpful.” 

The future is looking bright for Lumiere. She now has a job in business administration, and her next step is continuing with her goal of returning to practicing law.  

“I would recommend MaKami. When I have my law office, I will say, ‘I started at MaKami.'”