From Ecuador to Harvard: Help Me Pursue My Dream of Expanding Educational Opportunity

Today, with deep humility and gratitude, I share something that once felt impossible. I have been accepted into Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education to pursue a master’s degree in Education Policy and Analysis. For many, this may sound like an academic achievement. For me, it represents years of resilience, sacrifice, and faith.

I immigrated to the United States from Ecuador when I was nineteen. I arrived with hope, but also with the uncertainty that many immigrants face when starting over in a new country, language, and educational system. What made my journey even more challenging was my status. This meant that I did not qualify for federal financial aid, most scholarships, internships, or many opportunities that other students could access. Every semester, I had to find ways to pay tuition out of pocket while working and studying at the same time.

Despite these obstacles, I remained determined to continue my education. I became involved in mentorship programs, supported fellow students, and participated in the United Nations Semester Program in New York City, where I conducted research on migration and global policy. Through these experiences, I realized that my life’s purpose is to work toward educational policies that expand opportunities for immigrant and marginalized students.

Today, being admitted to Harvard Graduate School of Education is not only a personal milestone. It represents the possibility for immigrant students to reach spaces that once seemed unattainable.

However, pursuing this dream comes with a significant challenge.

Graduate school tuition and living expenses at Harvard can exceed $80,000 per year. While I am actively seeking scholarships and financial support, the cost remains far beyond what my family and I can afford.

This is why I am humbly asking for support.

Your contribution, no matter the amount, will help me cover tuition, housing, books, and basic living expenses during my time at Harvard. More importantly, your support will help me continue a mission that goes far beyond my personal success.

My goal is to use this education to advocate for immigrant communities, expand access to higher education, and work toward policies that create more equitable opportunities for students like me.

As the daughter of Ecuador and the first in my family to pursue graduate education at this level, I carry this opportunity not only for myself, but also for many others who share similar dreams. This journey is bigger than me. It represents the resilience of immigrant communities and the belief that education can open doors that once seemed impossible. If you are able to support or share this campaign, it would mean more than words can express.

A mi comunidad inmigrante: sé que muchos de nosotros hemos tenido que luchar el doble para abrirnos camino. Si hoy estoy aquí, es gracias a la fuerza, al sacrificio y a la resiliencia que compartimos como comunidad. Gracias por caminar conmigo en este sueño.