1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
    • Podcasts
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Apply
  • Chat

A Real Talk About Life’s Journey with TOEFL iBT Test Taker Valeria Renée Rivera

A Real Talk About Life’s Journey with TOEFL iBT Test Taker Valeria Renée Rivera

Jun 20, 2022

Did you grow up with the dream of traveling around the world? Valeria Renée Rivera remembers a time when she she was only four years old and fantasized about attending Harvard University. Although the name of the school would be different, her reality exceeded her expectations. 

“I think that the idea of it [studying abroad] was always very appealing to me because I’ve always been very curious, I’ve always loved traveling, and I’ve always loved meeting different people — being in new environments. From a very young age, studying abroad was just the dream for me.”

Keeping things in perspective

Growing up in San Salvador, El Salvador, Valeria’s interactions were limited to people of her same ethnicity and religion. The U.S. should have been foreign to her — so how then did she have a seamless transition to her study abroad? Her preparation was second to none. She exposed herself to American media, music, television, and even made a couple of trips to the U.S. during her early summers. 

This preparation speaks to Valeria’s personality. Whatever came her way, whether learning experiences or opportunities — she embraced them with open arms. It’s this willingness to “say yes” that has contributed to so much of Valeria’s success, and it’s the biggest piece of advice she has to share with future students.

“I always tell people to take every opportunity that they can. I achieved a lot when I was in school. I’m pretty proud of everything that I did when I was at Lycoming, and I think that’s a huge reason why I achieved so much — because I said yes to everything at first. It’s all about getting out of your comfort zone. The worst that can happen when saying yes to an opportunity that you’re maybe kind of on the fence about is you realize maybe that wasn’t for you.” 

Valeria wasn’t always certain what she wanted to do, but she knew she wanted a space where she could feel comfortable exploring different subjects, majors, and career pathways. Her journey brought her from her small country to Lycoming College, and her perspective on life has allowed her to pursue a career she’s passionate about. Having recently graduated from Lycoming College, Valeria is continuing to pursue her dreams as a member of the Study in the USA team! 

“There’s always something to take away from an experience, an opportunity. The more that you put yourself out there, the more people know you — you build a rep for yourself — and more [opportunities] will fall in your lap that way.”

ACT NOW! 

Use code VALERIA30 for US$30 off a new TOEFL iBT test registration.  The discount offer is valid through November 2, 2022. For more information, including terms and conditions visit https://bit.ly/3zgtzVm

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

You can rewatch our informative Facebook Live session with TOEFL and Valeria Rivera to hear her story in its entirety. 

Thanks to our friends at TOEFL for supporting this program!

Follow us:
Written by

Study in the USA

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the blog post titled Why Study in America?
Why Study in America?
Main image for the blog post titled 8 Things I Noticed When I Moved to London
8 Things I Noticed When I Moved to London
Main image for the blog post titled Boarding the Boeing
Boarding the Boeing
Main image for the blog post titled What Is Spring? (I’m from a Tropical Country.)
What Is Spring? (I’m from a Tropical Country.)
Read more

Check Out These Schools

Truckee Meadows Community College

Truckee Meadows Community College

$5,000—$10,000 Semester

Certificate/Short Term 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs Bachelor Degree
Contact
Green River College

Green River College

$1,000—$5,000 Quarter

Bachelor Degree English Programs 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs
Contact
Education First Miami Beach

Education First Miami Beach

$10,000 — $15,000 Quarter

English Programs
Contact

Related Stories

Video: Former student Natsuki talks about attending UO AEI

Main image for the article titled Video: Former student Natsuki talks about attending UO AEI
International Student Emmeline Wong on attending College of San Mateo in California

Main image for the article titled International Student Emmeline Wong on attending College of San Mateo in California
International Student Siqi Liu talks about attending Cañada College in California

Main image for the article titled International Student Siqi Liu talks about attending Cañada College in California
International student Ibraheem talks about attending the University of Dayton

Main image for the article titled International student Ibraheem talks about attending the University of Dayton

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for Student Advantage

Student Advantage

Explore the American Dream with the ‘My Deals’ app from Student Advantage - save on car rentals, hotel rooms, and everyday essentials!

Read more
Partner service logo for Renters Insurance

Renters Insurance

SURE offers hassle-free renters insurance that'll protect your clothes, furniture, and even yourself from unexpected damages and injuries. The SURE team will get you set up with a free quote and the correct coverage that you need!

Read more
Partner service logo for CORT Furniture Rental Student Packages

CORT Furniture Rental Student Packages

Most U.S. apartments come unfurnished. Make your move easy with a student furniture rental package from CORT. Flexible lease terms. Delivered before you arrive. Starting at $99 per month.* *with a 12-month lease

Read more

Testimonials

Quotation mark.

It cleared many questions that I had prior and during my time here in the United States. The website was very helpful and detailed for things that we have no idea about and have to learn as we go.

Amadeu Guimaraes Brazil

StudyUSA.com is informative website for me. I used it to analise information about universities in the USA to choose one of them. This site was useful for me to define my future education.

Aiman Ussenkul Kazakhstan

StudyUSA has been helping me getting my dream through giving info about schools, choice my best option, calculating costs including staying and food. Thank for all the support StudyUSA

Miguel Angel Marquez Leon Mexico

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices
Ask StudyUSA.com

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    English العربيـة Español Français Bahasa Indonesia 日本語 한국어 Português Русский ภาษาไทย Türkçe Tiếng Việt 简体中文 繁體中文

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2023 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.