Transcribed into English
View the Spanish Version here: Emmaculada’s Story
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I would like to share my worst experience upon arriving in the United States.
It was December twenty-seventh. That day I was on the freeway. The freeway is a highway where there are no stoplights; everything flows without stopping. That day, I had picked up my daughters from school and was heading directly home. I decided to take the freeway because it was faster and more convenient, as I didn’t yet know the city well.
At that time, I was living in Orem, a beautiful city that gave me a warm welcome.
I don’t want to make this story too long, but I want to tell you that on that day, my car broke down in the middle of the freeway. For me, it was the worst day of my life.
I started crying, and my daughters grew anxious seeing so many cars passing by on all sides in the same direction. I couldn’t get out of the car or call anyone due to my language barrier. I was studying English, but I didn’t have enough knowledge yet. I panicked but tried to calm down since I was with my daughters.
With great difficulty, I managed to get off the freeway. The police came to help me. But even so, it was a terrible experience.
I got home and suffered a nervous breakdown and anxiety attack. I asked myself, “How is it possible for someone who has just arrived in this country not to understand the system or know how to manage financially?”
That’s when I started researching.
I called different places, but most spoke only English, and with my limited language skills, they couldn’t help me much.
Then I found Freedom Credit Union.
The best part was that when I called, they were able to assist me in my own language. They offered me services and an appointment. Even though I was still afraid, I went with my family to the Provo branch.
They welcomed me with open arms, gave me guidance and advice. They offered me a line of credit even though I had no credit history in the country. They guided me through the process, and guess what the best part was: I was able to get credit to buy a new car!
And most importantly, I got a rate that, as an immigrant with economic limitations, I could afford. It was the best because my husband and I were studying and going through a challenging process that required a lot of money.
Freedom Credit Union has supported me throughout this journey. I’ve been with them for five years; they are my best allies.
Whenever I need to complete a financial transaction, I turn to them, and they always guide me, point me in the right direction, and most importantly, teach me how to do it.
Now I have good credit—maybe not perfect, but good. And the most important thing is that if anything happens, I know I can turn to them.
I tell them all the time that there is no way I would go to another company because when I needed help as an immigrant with limitations and no credit, Freedom Credit Union opened its doors and gave me the opportunity I needed.
It’s hard to arrive in a new country with so many limitations, no knowledge, no help, and to find a friendly hand where you can handle your financial matters, where they can advise and guide you. And in my case, I have the best rate in the market.
The first car we bought never had its interest rate change; on the contrary, I often received calls informing me that I qualified for a lower interest rate because of my timely payments and for doing things right.
Freedom has always kept me informed about their products. Freedom is like family: every year they have a gathering where we all meet; it’s like one big family.
I am sincerely grateful to Freedom Credit Union for this opportunity.
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