International student success story: From Colombia to the U.S.
Colombian student Andres Felipe Tocaruncho is a young scholar driven by a desire for knowledge and cultural enrichment. Eager to broaden his educational horizons outside his homeland, Andres decided to explore academic opportunities in the U.S., but he needed help paying for it. Let’s take a closer look at Andres’ story and how he was able to afford his education abroad.
Financing his education abroad
Prior to coming to the U.S., Andres earned an undergraduate degree in systems engineering and industrial engineering in Colombia. After graduation, he focused on developing his career in data analytics. After a couple of years working, however, Andres realized that the demand for data analytics and management was rapidly increasing and to stay up to date with it, he would have to pursue a master’s degree.
That led him to pursue a master’s in business analytics at Hult International Business School in Boston – a program he believed would complement his undergraduate degree in systems engineering and industrial engineering, as businesses today depend heavily on data management.
When Andres found himself needing additional funds while at Hult, his school advisors encouraged him to look into MPOWER Financing. His experience with MPOWER, he says, has been very positive.
“The application was very straightforward. The steps are quite quick, very concise. Any questions one may have, you can contact them, and they are very attentive to respond as quickly as possible. They have interest rates that are quite competitive in the market, so it’s a very good option. One can have confidence that it is safe and honest. So far, my experience has been very good.”
Financial empowerment
Andres appreciates MPOWER’s fixed-rate student loan as it helps him with budgeting – because his monthly payments never change. He also likes that he can always check the MPOWER Portal to see what he owes over time.
“The first payments are much lower than the subsequent ones. The initial payments are quite manageable, especially because you’re not receiving any income, but from then on, MPOWER takes care of showing me what the monthly payments will be, at a fixed rate, and it’s very easy to handle everything in that aspect.”
Studying abroad in the U.S.
Andres has enjoyed his experience in the U.S. so far. He believes the cultural diversity and variety of knowledge he gains daily is important to his personal growth.
“Meeting new people, being able to communicate with other cultures, exploring a city I didn’t know, and learning about new topics have been very important to me.”
Plans for the future
After graduation, Andres plans to return to Colombia and share his knowledge with fellow professionals. He aspires to earn a promotion to a managerial position and continue to advance in his career. Andres is confident his U.S. degree and experience abroad will help him secure a position in the future.
“I feel very happy with the decision I’m making right now. I feel that I’m in a good school, and the program is very good – the business analytics program I’m currently in is excellent and highly recognized in the business world.”
Advice for fellow international students
Andres has taken a practical approach to studying abroad. He recommends researching where you plan to live and estimating expenses, including accommodations, transportation, food and other variables. Creating a spending plan outlining all of his needs has helped Andres have a realistic understanding of the cost of life abroad.
“Create a monthly budget to understand how much money you need, taking into account your savings or the money you will bring, and, above all, know how much you need to borrow to live. It’s important to always be well organized with finances to achieve everything.”
Final thoughts: From Colombia to the U.S.
Andres’ story highlights the transformative impact of international education and the importance of financial empowerment. His experience of studying abroad and financing his education through MPOWER Financing reveals the value of accessible funding options.
As he prepares to contribute his expertise to Colombia, Andres emphasizes the need for thorough research and financial planning when studying abroad. His journey shows that with determination and support, opportunities for international study programs are limitless.
Interested in financing your education as an international student abroad? Start an application and check your eligibility in less than a minute.
