“Growing up in the mountains of Colombia in a town that had no high school let alone a university, my parents had a dream of a better future. Immigrating to the states meant lots of sacrifice and leaving their culture, family, and friends behind but it opened up a path for my sister and me to a better future, higher education, and achieving our dreams. “ - Dr. Sierra
I’ve been blessed to have known Karen since grade school; her younger sister and I have been close friends since 3rd grade. Their mom often helped chaperone school trips, but their father couldn’t because he was always working and wasn’t as fluent in English.
Roughly 20 years later, it just dawned on me their dad worked 3 jobs and still works to this day to support his wife and kids.
At parties, I would see her parents smile uncontrollably when Salsa music played.
When they danced,
You could almost see their culture wrapped in rhythms and melodies.
You could feel the tension of missing Colombia in tandem with the comfort of calling this country home.
They held each other in support.
I always wonder if I would have the same courage.
Would I move to a different country relying only on hope for the future?
At what point did her parents breathe a sigh of relief knowing it was all worth it?
...have they?
Prior to completing her degree at USC, she volunteered at the Peace Corps in parallel with her sister. She has a drive like many everyday Americans to make an impact and give back.
Dr. Karen Sierra is now a Columbian American dentist.
She is living proof of dreams becoming reality.
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