Colombian actress Catherine Siachoque finds new voice in the University of Miami's Intensive English Program

Catherine Siachoque is known internationally for her roles in various telenovelas like Sin Senos Sí Hay Paraíso and Decisiones, but to her classmates, she's just Catherine.
Colombian actress Catherine Siachoque finds new voice in the University of Miami's Intensive English Program

After over two decades in the industry, Catherine Siachoque is taking advantage of the series finale of El Final del Paraíso and is now working on her English speaking and writing skills as a student of the University of Miami's Intensive English Program.

After settling into her new role as a 'Cane, Catherine says she's happy to be back in class and has experienced comradery and a willingness to help and work hard as a group from her classmates, even helping her remaster classroom tools like PowerPoint. Being surrounded by a diverse group of students from all over the globe is always a learning opportunity in and of itself, and the Intensive English Program is not short on that. The program includes students from Kuwait, China, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, France, Colombia, Cuba, and Brazil.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Catherine Siachoque Varoni (@catherinesiachoque) on

The University of Miami's Division of Continuing & International Education, located at Allen Hall on the University's Coral Gables campus, is home to the Intensive English Program, now in its 68th year. The program was born out of a need for English instruction for students from Latin America in 1951, and back then classes were held in classrooms across the University campus. In the 1960s, the student population grew as the political turmoil in Cuba came to a head, turning the 12-week sessions into 15-week sessions three times a year. By the 1990s, the IEP curriculum had shifted again and was settled into its new home in Allen Hall. Now, the Intensive English Program offers five levels of English instruction and includes classes on oral and written communication as well as cultural and community enrichment opportunities throughout Florida.

Click here to read more about Catherine's experience in the program from People en Español.

About the University of Miami Division of Continuing and International Education

The Division of Continuing and International Education at the University of Miami aims to empower people to reach their full potential through lifelong and lifewide learning. With more than 70 credit and non-credit programs, the Division focuses on creating continuous learning experiences that transform individuals, organizations, and entire communities. For more information, please visit dcie.miami.edu or call (305) 284-4000 and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.