When I left Venezuela I was 16 years old. I still remember my parent’s shocked faces when I came home with a pile of brochures for study abroad programs. My parents were hesitant but supportive. However, many of my friends and family thought I was making a mistake leaving so young to a new country where I did not know anyone. I remember wondering at night for months whether I was making the “right” decision. Back then, I wanted a clear answer, but I’ve learned that in many cases we cannot have a clear set of instructions on how to make every decision. That is why being able to adapt is so important. I saw some fellow foreign students having a difficult time because they were not truly prepared to adapt to a new country and a new culture. Like
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Since then, governmental approval is required in order to exchange Venezuelan currency into any other. There are 3 reasons for which the government would allow currency exchange: tourism, medical treatment or education. Each category with its own set of requirements, paperwork and, of course, yearly amount limit. After my first year of University the government decided to implement a new rule for the educational category; only students in careers that were deemed a priority would be able to apply for currency exchange. A list was published and my program was not on it. From one day to the next my parents were no longer able to exchange the money that they earned in Venezuela into Canadian Dollars in order to pay my tuition. Furthermore, the maximum amount to be exchanged for tourism decreased to USD 1500 per person/per year. With plane tickets starting at such price my parent’s ability to visit me in Canada became restricted. This was a very critical situation, but I knew I would not let the situation that the government had put me in define my future. I knew that I could not let my parent’s hard work give me a better future to be in vain. It was not easy and many changes needed to take place: getting a job during the school year, moving into an apartment with more roommates to decrease living costs and, of course, being very conscious of every dollar I spent. It was hard and stressful being put in this situation but I am glad I endured, and this made my graduation day so much more gratifying. Medical school will not be easy but I did not let the critical situation that my country faces stop me then and I will not let it stop me
Since then, governmental approval is required in order to exchange Venezuelan currency into any other. There are 3 reasons for which the government would allow currency exchange: tourism, medical treatment or education. Each category with its own set of requirements, paperwork and, of course, yearly amount limit. After my first year of University the government decided to implement a new rule for the educational category; only students in careers that were deemed a priority would be able to apply for currency exchange. A list was published and my program was not on it. From one day to the next my parents were no longer able to exchange the money that they earned in Venezuela into Canadian Dollars in order to pay my tuition. Furthermore, the maximum amount to be exchanged for tourism decreased to USD 1500 per person/per year. With plane tickets starting at such price my parent’s ability to visit me in Canada became restricted. This was a very critical situation, but I knew I would not let the situation that the government had put me in define my future. I knew that I could not let my parent’s hard work give me a better future to be in vain. It was not easy and many changes needed to take place: getting a job during the school year, moving into an apartment with more roommates to decrease living costs and, of course, being very conscious of every dollar I spent. It was hard and stressful being put in this situation but I am glad I endured, and this made my graduation day so much more gratifying. Medical school will not be easy but I did not let the critical situation that my country faces stop me then and I will not let it stop me