A Question That Sparked Reflection
In early 2019, during a dinner party, I engaged in conversation with a woman who posed a thought-provoking question. Looking me straight in the eyes, she asked me in Spanish, “¿No te da vergüenza ir a la escuela a esta edad en un aula llena de adolescentes?” Translated, this means, “Are you not ashamed of going to school at this age in a classroom full of teenagers?” I was taken aback, and no one who heard that question, including myself, came to my defense. My mind went blank; I couldn’t find an answer to her question, nor did I feel compelled to explain myself. I just stared at her, letting her words dissipate into the air.
A Journey Interrupted
No one at that dinner party knew or inquired, but at the time, I was working on my first United States bachelor’s degree. I was in my second year at Miami Dade College, eagerly pursuing my AA degree with plans to transfer to the University of Florida. Achieving a United States graduation was not just a dream of mine; it was a hope my father held for his children. Twenty-four years ago, he had saved enough to sponsor part of my education in the USA. However, when the money ran out, difficult times forced me to drop out of college and work full-time to pay bills. Various other challenges arose during my educational journey, and whenever I tried to continue, something would come up, causing me to run short of funds. Consequently, in 2012, I returned to Brazil and graduated with a bachelor’s in administration. However, the job market in Brazil was tough, making employment a new hurdle.
Perseverance and Triumph
I decided to return to the USA and try my luck again. I quickly found a job in an office in Miami, where I met people who reignited my educational aspirations. In 2019, I returned to college to pursue my dreams. A colleague named Nati from Colombia introduced me to the University of Florida. Understanding my situation, she too was pursuing her business degree there and had shared many positive experiences about the school. She knew earning a bachelor’s degree in the United States would significantly enhance my prospects for better positions and salaries. Through our numerous discussions about college programs, she convinced me to apply for the University of Florida’s public relations program. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in public relations from UF in December 2023. Now, I am pursuing a master’s degree in digital strategy, a journey I am truly enjoying.
Lessons Learned
One crucial lesson I have learned through my educational journey is that there is no age limit to learning something new. If I had allowed that woman’s offensive words to deter me from my educational goals, I wouldn’t be here today to share my story. Today, I know the answer to her question: “Me daría vergüenza hacerle una pregunta tan insensata a alguien,” which in English means, “I would be ashamed of asking anyone such a senseless question.”