Bulletin august 2026 - Fundación Zua

A Dream That Crossed Borders

With the support of Fundación Zuá, our young people have the opportunity to turn their dreams into experiences that broaden their horizons and strengthen their life plans.

In this edition, we would like to share the story of Luisa Rodríguez, a young Physical Education student who had the opportunity to participate in an academic exchange in Brazil. An experience that brought new learning opportunities, personal and professional challenges, and the possibility of discovering all that she is capable of achieving when she has opportunities and the necessary support.

Below, Luisa tells us, in her own words, how she experienced this journey, which marked a before and an after in her life path.

My name is Luisa Rodríguez, I am 21 years old, and I am currently in my eighth semester of the Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education at UNIMINUTO. Since I began my degree, I dreamed of learning, growing professionally, and discovering new ways of teaching and understanding sports. I never imagined that one of those dreams would take me all the way to Brazil.

Thanks to the support of the Foundation, I was able to participate in an academic exchange at Univates University, located in Lajeado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

For me, it was much more than traveling: it was a personal, academic, and family challenge that allowed me to discover abilities I did not know I had.

Making this dream come true was not easy either. From the very beginning, my family was my main source of support. Together, we organized everything necessary so that I could travel and live this experience. It was months of effort, work, organization, and sacrifices, during which each of us contributed according to our possibilities, with the same purpose. More than a trip, it was a project that we built as a family, and it taught us that with love, unity, commitment, and perseverance, we can overcome obstacles and make our dreams come true.

When the time came to travel, I felt happiness, excitement, and nervousness. It was the first time I would be so far away from my family and everything I knew. One of my first major challenges was Portuguese. At first, I found it difficult to understand some conversations and express myself confidently, but I decided not to let the language become a barrier. I listened, practiced, asked questions, and stopped being afraid of making mistakes. Little by little, I learned to communicate, participate in classes, and manage my everyday life. Overcoming the language barrier was one of the greatest personal achievements that the exchange left me with.

I also discovered a different culture, new customs, and another way of experiencing university life. I learned to adapt, respect different ways of thinking, and value my roots even more, as well as the pride of representing Colombia. One very special experience was encountering the capuchin monkeys, curious animals that became part of my everyday life. Seeing them so close and watching them move freely was completely different from anything I had experienced in Colombia, and it became one of the memories that left the strongest impression on me during my exchange.

At the university, I found new opportunities to strengthen my education. I was able to learn about other teaching methods and gain knowledge related to physiotherapy and sports medicine, areas that I had not had the opportunity to explore in the same way in Colombia. This broadened my perspective on Physical Education and helped me understand the importance of interdisciplinary work in sports and well-being.

In addition to studying, I had the opportunity to work during my stay, strengthening my sense of responsibility and independence. I also fulfilled another dream: playing soccer and representing the university. Wearing its name on the field while also representing Colombia was a moment of great pride and happiness.

Thanks to my efforts and everything I learned during this experience, I also had the opportunity to visit Rio de Janeiro. Being able to visit such an iconic city in Brazil was a gift that made my exchange even more special. Every place I visited allowed me to discover new realities and create memories that I will carry with me forever.

Today, I return to Colombia deeply happy and grateful. Happy to have fulfilled a dream that once seemed far away, and grateful to my family and the Foundation for believing in me. Brazil taught me that stepping outside our comfort zone, facing our fears, learning a new language, and taking on new challenges can transform us. This experience not only allowed me to discover another country; it allowed me to discover myself, grow, and return with new knowledge and an even greater desire to continue building my career as a PhysicalEducation professional.

Thank you to Fundación Zuá and to the people who support us through their donations, so that many vulnerable girls, boys, and young people can move forward and make their dreams come true.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS.

We count on your support to help many more young people turn their dream of pursuing a university degree into reality.

You can also make a donation to Fundación Zuá, NIT 830104271-8, by making a deposit or bank transfer to any of the following accounts:

BANCOLOMBIA: Savings Account: 193 110 588 03

DAVIVIENDA: Savings Account: 005 100 104 321

BBVA: Savings Account: 724 155 171