Yosimar is in the USA!

​     Yosimar Becerra was welcomed to America at the Fort Lauderdale Airport on August 3 by the Children Beyond Our Borders’ family. Yosimar is one of Children Beyond Our Borders’ IAMCBOB scholars, and he was selected to represent his university in Cartagena, Colombia, at the Northwestern State University study abroad program. CBOB raised $2,645 to help Yosimar with his college expenses, and the CBOB family couldn't be prouder of all his accomplishments so far. 

      “Being in America was one of my dreams since I have been hearing about this country and its culture since I was a child. The diversity of everything that you find here makes you open your mind and learn in a different way,” says Yosimar.

     Yosimar cherishes the education and experiences Northwestern is providing him. He has met many new friends who have welcomed him making his transition across countries much easier. He is majoring in Hospitality Management and Tourism because he is passionate about learning new languages, traveling, meeting new people, learning about different cultures and helping others.

      “It allows you to be an international person and to learn more about the world, the more you travel, the more experienced you get in your life,” says Yosimar.

      Yosimar has been flourishing at Northwestern. He is currently taking five classes: fundamentals of speech, organization and management, meal management, lodging management, and property and equipment management. He is thrilled that he has the opportunity to expand upon his knowledge of the tourism industry and learn from incredible teachers. He has made all A’s on exams recently on top of landing two interviews for potential internships at the Hampton Inn and Sonic Drive-In.

     "That's my way to say thank you to CBOB for everything they have done for me," says Yosimar.

     His favorite class is fundamentals of speech because he hopes to use the skills that this class is teaching him to speak to his community in Colombia about how they can improve their lives. Yosimar is a role model for his community back at home. He wants to take every opportunity that is given to him here, so he can have to opportunity to give back to his community and family.

     "I want to help my family to have a brighter future and quality of life so I will do my best in order they can be happy and enjoy life to the fullest. I want to be involved in programs in my community where we can develop new ways to help children and encourage them to make their dreams true. I would love to guide them if it's necessary by showing them that you just need to be passion for what you want in your life and then there would not be any obstacle that can stop you from getting that for you," said Yosimar.