Support Ana's Journey to Embrace Her Latina Heritage

Hello everyone, my name is Ana!

Recently, I found out that I was accepted into an incredible program that would give me the opportunity to study in Mexico for a month, giving me a chance to immerse myself in the language and embrace Latin American culture. This isn’t just about studying abroad; it’s about finding a piece of myself that has always felt just out of reach.

I was born in Colombia, but I grew up the majority of my life in the U.S., caught between two worlds. I’ve always been proud of my heritage, but not being fully fluent in Spanish has made me feel like a part of me was missing. With this wonderful opportunity, I would be able to reconnect with my roots in a way I’ve never been able to before.

I am a student at North Wake College and Career Academy with a 3.8 GPA, and I actively participate in Beta Club, Rho Kappa Honor Society, Book Club, Writing Club, and the Hispanic Heritage Club. In addition to my studies, I enjoy volunteering at my local library, where I help out with various activities organized for children. With the hard work that I put into my studies, I was awarded the Global Navigator Scholarship for the program! I’m so grateful for this support, but I still need help covering the remaining costs, including travel and daily expenses. I’ve been working weekends to contribute as much as I can, but I can't do it alone.

Growing up, I watched my mom struggle with language barriers, struggling to communicate at the doctor’s office, at the store, at work. I’ve done my best to help, but sometimes I just simply don’t have sufficient vocabulary to help adequately. That’s why this trip is so much more than an educational experience. It’s about becoming fluent so I can be her voice when she needs one. It’s about giving back to the woman who has given me everything while also finding a part of myself that is lost, deep beneath the surface.

I wish to embrace my identity with this journey. I wish to again walk the streets of Latin America and hear the sweet melody of the language being spoken in its truest form. For so long, I’ve felt like an outsider, like I wasn’t “American enough” for the U.S. or “Latina enough” for Colombia. This trip is a stepping stone to being able to be on the path to finally feeling whole.

Thank you for reading my story. Your kindness and generosity will help me take a step closer to understanding who I am and where I belong.