I’ve always been aware of the great privilege I had of studying at a bilingual international school in Brazil, called Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro (EARJ) (class of '16). I owe my ability to speak and write in English to my mother, who worked at that school as a secretary for 38 years (and still does), Cristiane Gomes (class of '86). Living next to one of the largest slums in the city, Cidade de Deus and commuting to EARJ everyday for 15 years made me aware, even as a child, of the inequality existing all over the country — starkly visible from my bedroom window and more so in the classrooms at school. My mother—who was given the same chance through my grandfather, Inácio Gomes, who also worked at the school—made sure I understood the weight of this opportunity, knowing it could help shape a better future for me. Ultimately, I owe this possibility to her.

As a first-generation Latina student, I once believed that earning my bachelor's degree in Brazil would be the highest academic milestone I could reach. However, after graduating, I realized I was heading down a path that was taking me further and further from what I truly wanted to pursue. Against all odds, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone to apply to a few masters programs abroad, determined to at least try before shutting down the idea entirely. Just the thought of leaving my home country to immerse myself in a foreign culture, with a currency that is five times the value of one Brazilian Real, was daunting. But, my perseverance and dedication led me to receiving an acceptance letter from Columbia University’s Journalism Graduate School. Never in a million years did I imagine I’d be accepted into one of the top journalism master's programs in the US —let alone with a scholarship.

Pursuing a Master’s degree at Columbia University is a crucial step toward my dream of building a purposeful career in journalism. I am deeply passionate about the power of digital media and how accessible content should communicate to even the most remote communities. Through graduate school, I aim to strengthen my knowledge of media theory and ethics, and develop the tools needed to produce responsible and impactful storytelling that can be resonated across cultures, and races. With the foundation built at Columbia and the support of peers, family and the faculty, I hope to lead projects and create a journalistic agenda that challenges the norms and builds bridges between audiences.

Ultimately, this financial help would not only ease the logistical burdens of living and studying in New York City (a dream come true), but it would also support my deeper mission: to be a storyteller who helps build a more inclusive and informed global society - especially in my home country, Brazil.

If you'd like to support my educational journey, any contribution would be deeply appreciated. I received a generous scholarship, but still have a long way to go to pay for the full tuition/fees from Columbia University.