I was a student

era estudiante

I was a student(ay wuhz ey stu-duhnt)

phrase

1. (habitual action)

a. era estudiante

I was a student at New York University.

Era estudiante en la Universidad de Nueva York.

b. era alumno

When I was a student, I always read for all of my classes.

Cuando era alumno, siempre leía por todas mis clases.

2. (for a finite period of time)

a. fui estudiante

I was a student for two years, but I dropped out of college in order to work.

Fui estudiante por dos años, pero dejé la universidad para trabajar.

b. fui alumno

I was a student in that school before joining as a teacher.

Fui alumno en ese colegio antes de ingresar como maestro.