Hi, I’m Juanita, a 22-year-old international student from Villavicencio, Meta, Colombia. I currently live in Ocala, Florida, known as the Horse Capital of the World. I moved to the United States in 2022 with my parents, and we initially settled in the cold and cloudy state of Oregon. Last year, we relocated to sunny Florida, where I decided to continue my education at the College of Central Florida.

Since graduating from high school in 2019, several years had passed, and returning to school felt intimidating. On top of that, it was my first time taking classes in my second language, which made me feel incredibly nervous and uncertain about myself. 

Initially, I enrolled at College of Central Florida (CF) to do a two-year program, but once I saw the opportunities CF offered and the partners they worked with, I decided to go for a bachelor’s degree.

In August, right after classes started, I realized I needed to improve my writing and reading skills right away. Luckily, I had attended orientation and remembered that staff members mentioned that tutoring sessions were available. Ever since then, I have come to our tutors every time I need to write analytical essays or creative writing pieces.

Also, for non-mathematical people (like me), CF offers tutors who are incredibly skillful and help with great enthusiasm. I have come to them a couple times, and I have passed my exams perfectly. Having tutors have helped me to build confidence and improved my skills a lot.

I also joined the international club where I was in charge of the content creation for the Instagram profile that was available back then. Thanks to joining the club, I was able to serve our community at a food bank where I met beautiful people who serve the community daily.

By October, I decided to join the Honors Institute which not only helps with university transfers, and scholarships, but also gives unique experiences such as my NASA visit last April. I went to the JFK Space Center with other honors students and learned a lot about current and past projects. I had never in my wildest dreams thought about an experience like this with school. We walked around all day, shared laughs, and ate lots of delicious food. 

For booklovers (like me), the library is heaven. It has a wide variety of books that go from cooking and romance to politics and design books—all for free! It also has board games and puzzles every week to borrow. Besides, it has private study rooms with computers and boards for us to study with classmates whenever we need. This is my favorite building since I love tranquility. 

Now, after 1 year in school, I am preparing myself to join the Cross-country team at CF. At first, I thought it was for professionals only, but after I was introduced to Coach Lauren, she showed me that if I trained hard, I could qualify to run with the team. Hopefully I can join them and proudly represent our school. 

After all the little efforts I have made throughout my first year, I have learned that asking questions, keeping good grades, and taking advantage of all the tools the school offers can keep us motivated and goal oriented.

I am now preparing myself for my next step in education that is transferring to university. As I mentioned before, I have been in different programs since I started, and I am grateful for all the help and advising my advisor has given me. I have always felt welcomed and heard in every aspect.

Being an international student has not been easy, but it has helped me to grow and prove myself that I am capable of many more things that I thought I was. I am happy with the school I chose and grateful with all my professors who have been very important in my learning progress.

College of Central Florida has given me opportunities I never imagined possible from academic support and leadership experiences to lifelong friendships and a clear path toward my future. It has truly become a place where I have grown both personally and academically.

If you are reading this and have the opportunity to study abroad, I highly encourage you to be curious, join clubs, and be willing to take challenges even when you feel you are not ready. I am sure it will only bring you growth and amazing memories for when you get older.  

- Juanita