<div><em>Versión en español abajo</em>
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<div>Hi, my name is María Andreína Paz Castillo. I'm a Venezuelan immigrant living in Chicago. I came to the U.S. in 2020 with a clear dream: to continue my career in dentistry.
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<div>I'm a licensed dentist in Venezuela, but like many immigrants, I had to start over. I worked as a dental assistant while preparing for the theoretical board exam (the same exam U.S.-trained dentists must take), which meant reviewing my entire career while working. I also passed the TOEFL (an academic English exam), applied to several universities—which was expensive and emotionally tough—and was finally accepted into the University, something rare for international students.
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<div>Today, I'm in my second semester and currently have a perfect 4.0 out of 4.0 GPA (Grade Point Average, the U.S. academic grading scale). I truly love dentistry. I’m passionate about helping people recover their health, confidence, and well-being.
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<div>But now I’m facing a financial roadblock.
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<div>Because of my immigration status, I don’t qualify for FAFSA (federal student aid) or federal loans. I paid for the first semester with help from family and a private loan, but most private lenders require a cosigner (someone with U.S. credit who guarantees the loan), and I haven’t been able to find one. There is an alternative loan that doesn’t require a cosigner, but I can only apply for it when I have two years left in the program. Right now, I have two and a half years to go. That means I must pay for this summer semester myself in order to continue.
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<div>My current debt for this semester is over $50,000. If I can’t pay it soon, I won’t be able to keep going, and everything I’ve worked for will be put on hold.
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<div>I’ve done everything within my power, but now I need help.
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<div>My goal isn’t just to graduate. I want to help other immigrant professionals revalidate their degrees and rebuild their careers in this country. That’s the kind of impact I want to make.
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<div>If you’re in a position to support me with a larger amount and would prefer it to be treated as a loan, I’m open to that. I commit to repaying it once I finish my program.
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<div>Any donation, no matter how small, will make a difference. And if you can’t donate, sharing my story is already a huge help.
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<div>Thank you for reading, and for believing in someone who refuses to give up.
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<div>*******
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<div><strong>Version en Español:</strong>
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<div>Hola, soy María Andreína Paz Castillo. Soy inmigrante venezolana y vivo en Chicago. Llegué a EE.UU. en 2020 con un sueño claro: continuar mi carrera como odontóloga.
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<div>En Venezuela ya soy dentista, pero como muchas personas migrantes, tuve que empezar desde cero. Trabajé como asistente dental mientras estudiaba para el examen teórico de revalidación (el mismo que rinden los dentistas formados en EE.UU.), lo que implicó repasar toda mi carrera mientras trabajaba. También aprobé el TOEFL (examen de inglés académico), apliqué a varias universidades (un proceso costoso y emocionalmente exigente), y finalmente fui aceptada en la Universidad, algo poco común para estudiantes internacionales.
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<div>Hoy estoy en mi segundo semestre y tengo un promedio perfecto: 4.0 sobre 4.0 (GPA, por sus siglas en inglés). Amo la odontología. Me apasiona ayudar a las personas a recuperar su salud, su confianza y su bienestar.
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<div>Pero ahora enfrento un obstáculo económico. No califico para FAFSA (ayuda financiera del gobierno) ni para préstamos federales por mi estatus migratorio. Pagué el primer semestre con ayuda familiar y un préstamo privado, pero la mayoría de los préstamos me piden un cosigner (una persona con ciudadanía o residencia que actúe como garante), y no he podido conseguir uno. Hay un préstamo alternativo que no exige garante, pero solo permite aplicar cuando faltan dos años para graduarse. Actualmente me faltan dos años y medio, por lo que debo cubrir este semestre de verano por mi cuenta para poder continuar.
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<div>La deuda con la universidad por este semestre es de más de $50,000. Si no logro pagarla, no podré seguir estudiando, y todo el esfuerzo hasta ahora quedará en pausa.
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<div>He hecho todo lo que está a mi alcance, pero ahora necesito ayuda.
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<div>Mi meta no es solo graduarme, también quiero ayudar a otros profesionales migrantes a revalidar sus títulos y continuar sus carreras en este país. Ese es el impacto que quiero lograr en el futuro.
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<div>Si estás en posibilidad de apoyarme con un monto más alto y prefieres tratarlo como un préstamo, estoy dispuesta a conversarlo. Me comprometo a devolver el dinero cuando termine mis estudios.
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<div>Cualquier aporte, por pequeño que sea, marca la diferencia. Y si no puedes donar, compartir esta historia también me ayuda muchísimo.
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<div>Gracias por leerme y por creer en alguien que no se rinde.
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Maria Paz Castillo

Elvin Lopez

Anonymous

Karina Fernández

Sol Muñoz

D Hernandez Castro

KRISTINA VARGA

Yanelis Perez

Andrea Toledo

Jose Farhat

Juan F

Luis Alberto Lopez

Eliana Amara

Luis Lopez

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