Written by: Camila Puentes, Caminos al Futuro 2019
I was one of the first ones of my cohort to arrive in D.C. and writing this, five days later, I still cannot believe I am actually here. Since Monica texted and picked me up at the airport, I can say everything has been amazing!
Yes! I was kind of nervous when thinking about: who and how are the people I am going to meet, what am I going to do, how are the classes going to be, am I going to miss my family? But, what I can say is that meeting these other 14 people from my cohort, Dr. Vaquera, Trey, Andrea, our RA Jocelyn, and the Caminos staff has been incredible to me.
It is my first time flying by myself, as well as, my first time here in D.C. The second and third day in the capital were more concentrated in exploring and getting to know the city, like the monuments, and the history behind them. I was born and raised in Venezuela moved to Sarasota, Florida in 2016 and am not used to being in a big city, but I am in love right now.
In my mind I never thought we were going to have pictures during the tour, class, welcome dinner, and feel like famous people with their paparazzis smiling and posing in front of every camera or just pretending that you don’t know they are taking a picture of you.
I have learned so much in very little time from the classes, from all the people I’ve met, and even from myself. I feel good, at home, and cannot wait to see what many other things I will learn from these amazing program and people. I am very, very grateful for this opportunity and I will make the most of it.
Thanks familia!
Camila Puentes is a Caminos Al Futuro 2019 scholar. Camila’s views are her own and not necessarily reflective of the Cisneros Institute.