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Help Me Finish My College Journey

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*ENGLISH*

Hello everyone!

My name is Maria Juliana Moreno. I am 21 years old, born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia. The past two years and a half I have been studying Criminal Psychology at Liberty University; a Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. I chose the field of psychology because I always knew that part of my purpose was helping others. I am a strong advocate for mental health, since my major has taught me its huge importance. In the future, I want to make an impact in this area.

Since I was a little girl, my dream was to study in another country and gain world insight. It seemed almost impossible at the time given that my family did not have enough financial resources to pay for tuition in the United States, as well as housing. I wrote multiple emails to the school asking for a scholarship that would be enough in order to allow me to go. I never got an answer back. I was ready to give up and wrote them an email thanking them for all their help but unfortunately I would not be able to attend Liberty. This time I got an answer back where they said that there was a special scholarship for international students and I would have to apply for it. During high school in Colombia, I got to be part of the National Honor Society and had a good GPA. When I applied for this scholarship, all these achievements helped me obtain it. This scholarship covers almost 100% of tuition. I was able to attend Liberty University!

This experience has been truly life-changing for me. I have made amazing friends that have become my family, I have learned to view the world in a different light and more importantly, I have had personal growth which no other experience would have given me. This past semester, I had to come back home to Colombia and take online classes because despite having an amazing scholarship that I am so greatful for, finances were getting tight. The exchage rate between USD and COP was escalating. As a family, we decided that it would be better if I stayed home for the semester to alleviate some expenses. Currently, I just finished my fifth semester; however, I am a Senior by credit.

Due to the current pandemic, my family has been forced to close the restaurant that we own. We tried to implement deliveries but it has been tough and not enough. We are not receiving any type of income. This situation will not allow me to return to Liberty next semester. However, completing my college journey is still my dream and I want to experience it fully by going back. At Liberty, I had a job as a tour guide which taught me so much and would love to come back to it as well.

The total cost of housing, food, health insurace, tickets and other fees is around $8,000 USD. I would appreciate any type of help, wether it is a small donation, spreading this GoFundMe page around, or even just prayer. 

Thank you!

*ESPAÑOL*

¡Hola a todos!

Me llamo María Juliana Moreno. Tengo 21 años y nací en Bogotá, Colombia. Los últimos dos años y medio he estado estudiando Psicología Criminal en una universidad cristiana llamada Liberty University, ubicada en Lynchburg, Virginia en Estados Unidos. Decidí el campo de la psicología ya que siempre supe que parte de mi propósito era ayudar a otros. Defiendo mucho la salud mental ya que mi carrera me ha enseñado su gran importancia. En el futuro, me gustaría hacer un gran impacto en esta área.

Desde pequeña, mi sueño fue estudiar en otro país para ganar una visión mundial mas grande. Parecía imposible ya que no teníamos los recursos suficientes para pagar una matricula en Estados Unidos, acompañada por la vivienda. Escribí muchos emails a la universidad pidiendo una beca que me ayudara a ir a Liberty. Nunca me respondieron así que estaba lista para darme por vencida. Escribí el ultimo email agradeciéndoles por su ayuda, pero desafortunadamente no podría ir a la universidad. Esta vez, me respondieron diciendo que había una beca especial para los estudiantes internacionales y si la quería, debería aplicar para obtenerla. Durante el colegio en Colombia, obtuve buenas notas y fui parte de la Sociedad de Honor de Estados Unidos. Cuando aplique a esta beca, todos estos logros me ayudaron a obtenerla. Esta beca academica cubre casi el 100% de la matricula. ¡Si pude ir a Liberty University! 

Esta experiencia definitivamente ha cambiado mi vida. He conocido personas increíbles que se han vuelto mi familia, he aprendido a ver el mundo de una manera diferente y lo mas importante, he tenido un crecimiento personal que otra experiencia no me hubiera dado. Este semestre que acabó, tuve que regresar a Colombia y tomar clases en línea ya que a pesar de la gran beca que tengo, nuestras finanzas han estado apretadas. El dólar ha escalado rápidamente. Como familia decidimos que lo mejor era que me quedara para alivianar algunos gastos económicos. En el momento, acabé de terminar mi quinto semestre. Sin embargo, soy considerada estudiante de ultimo año y me quedan entre un año a un año y medio para graduarme.

Debido a la situación actual de la pandemia, mi familia como otras, ha sido forzada a cerrar el restaurante que tenemos. Intentamos hacer domicilios, pero ha sido difícil y no suficiente. No estamos recibiendo ningún tipo de ingreso en el momento. Esta situación no permitirá que regrese a Liberty el siguiente semestre. Sin embargo, completar mi carrera en esta universidad sigue siendo mi sueño y es una experiencia que quiero seguir viviendo al máximo. En Liberty, trabajaba como guía de la universidad y quiero regresar a esto también.

El costo total de la vivienda, comida, salud, tiquetes de avión y otros es aproximadamente $8,000 USD. Apreciaría grandemente cualquier tipo de ayuda, ya sea una donación pequeña, compartir esta pagina a sus contactos o incluso oración.

¡Muchas gracias!

Organizer and beneficiary

Juliana Moreno
Organizer
Lynchburg, VA
Juan Moreno
Beneficiary

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