From dreams to reality
Donation protected
October 16th, 2013, 8:30pm at Toronto Pearsons International Airport... There was me, Vanessa Teran, with the company of two (2) suitcases full of memories, goals and dreams. Although, nervousness, fear, happiness, excitment was surrounding me, the weather smelt that it was the beginning of something new.
Many people who knows me, describe me as someone brave, happy and passionate by my own personal goals and the social & cultural awareness; personally, I've learned mostly throughout my time and experience in Canada. However, most of my personality and way of thinking have been gained by the struggle of staying in Canada for reasons that are out of my control.
To give a briefly description of my story here, I came through the Rotary Youth Exchange program that Rotary International offers to learn English and represent my home-country Venezuela, specifically in Oakville, Ontario. I believe that my experience with the Rotary Club, was the motivation and the opportunity that I needed to realized who I want to be, and how to get there, since the critical situation that was happening (and still happens) in Venezuela was getting worse.
Unfortanely, it was very difficult for me and for my parents to afford my entire education, including living expenses, in Canada because of the critical economy situation that is happening in Venezuela, where 1$ is worth 1,000Bs. (venezuelan currency), and it keeps going up and up with such a high inflation. However, with the help of some Rotarians and close friends, I made my way to the Tourism & Travel program that Sheridan Colleg offers and start working towards my dream.
As my parents taught me, since my first day at Sheridan, I always tried to take advantage of learning everything that I could to make worth all the hard work that my parents, the people who was helping me and me were making. Proudly to say, after a year of working hard off-campus but still being involved in different clubs and association inside & out Sheridan, I start to see the results by winning two scholarships and bursaries from Sheridan and becoming the Social Media Community Leader at Sheridan College and the Events Coordinator for the Sheridan Student Union Inc.; now, I wasn't only a student, I became one of the Student Leaders for the 2015/2016 year in the school. Having three jobs at the same time plus full time studies wasn't an easy decision, but the high motivation and determination that I had didn't let me give up on my dream.
As all of you know, International Students pay a very high rate of tuition, and now, prontly to graduate, I still own to Sheridan College my last semester tuition fees. With the help of my teachers, friends and relatives and my own hard work, Sheridan let me study my last semester with the condition of paying them back by the end of the schoolyear(April, 2016). At this point, with already two scholarships and bursaries, with help of my family and friends, its hard with my own money pay the full amount; therefore, I'm asking you to help me to finish my education and help to stay in the country where everything begin.
Whether is sharing this post, cents or spreading the word will be enough for me to keep working hard and pay off my tuition fees and become a fully independent young professional ready to start my life in Canada.
Many people who knows me, describe me as someone brave, happy and passionate by my own personal goals and the social & cultural awareness; personally, I've learned mostly throughout my time and experience in Canada. However, most of my personality and way of thinking have been gained by the struggle of staying in Canada for reasons that are out of my control.
To give a briefly description of my story here, I came through the Rotary Youth Exchange program that Rotary International offers to learn English and represent my home-country Venezuela, specifically in Oakville, Ontario. I believe that my experience with the Rotary Club, was the motivation and the opportunity that I needed to realized who I want to be, and how to get there, since the critical situation that was happening (and still happens) in Venezuela was getting worse.
Unfortanely, it was very difficult for me and for my parents to afford my entire education, including living expenses, in Canada because of the critical economy situation that is happening in Venezuela, where 1$ is worth 1,000Bs. (venezuelan currency), and it keeps going up and up with such a high inflation. However, with the help of some Rotarians and close friends, I made my way to the Tourism & Travel program that Sheridan Colleg offers and start working towards my dream.
As my parents taught me, since my first day at Sheridan, I always tried to take advantage of learning everything that I could to make worth all the hard work that my parents, the people who was helping me and me were making. Proudly to say, after a year of working hard off-campus but still being involved in different clubs and association inside & out Sheridan, I start to see the results by winning two scholarships and bursaries from Sheridan and becoming the Social Media Community Leader at Sheridan College and the Events Coordinator for the Sheridan Student Union Inc.; now, I wasn't only a student, I became one of the Student Leaders for the 2015/2016 year in the school. Having three jobs at the same time plus full time studies wasn't an easy decision, but the high motivation and determination that I had didn't let me give up on my dream.
As all of you know, International Students pay a very high rate of tuition, and now, prontly to graduate, I still own to Sheridan College my last semester tuition fees. With the help of my teachers, friends and relatives and my own hard work, Sheridan let me study my last semester with the condition of paying them back by the end of the schoolyear(April, 2016). At this point, with already two scholarships and bursaries, with help of my family and friends, its hard with my own money pay the full amount; therefore, I'm asking you to help me to finish my education and help to stay in the country where everything begin.
Whether is sharing this post, cents or spreading the word will be enough for me to keep working hard and pay off my tuition fees and become a fully independent young professional ready to start my life in Canada.
Organizer
Vanessa Teran
Organizer
Oakville, ON
