Miami, May 18 (IANS/EFE): Actress America Ferrera graduated from the University of Southern California, 10 years after beginning her International Relations course.

"Graduation day! Congratulations to everyone in the Class of 2013!" she said Friday on Twitter.

Ferrera tweeted the joy of her achievement this week: "At last it's happening! It's taken me 10 years, but I feel great."

Born in Los Angeles of Honduran parents, Ferrera went to USC on a presidential scholarship with a double major in theater and international relations.

Nonetheless, the actress had to suspend her studies temporarily to concentrate on her career, thanks to her success in the leading role of the "Ugly Betty" television series.

For her characterization of Betty Suarez, Ferrera, now 29, won a Golden Globe, an Emmy and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

At USC, Ferrera also met her future husband, the actor, director and scriptwriter Ryan Piers Williams, when he picked her to star in the short subject "Muertas" (Deaths) about the many women who have been murdered in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Ferrera is currently working on the movie "X/Y," written and directed by her husband.