International student success story: From Colombia to Indiana University
Colombian student Juan Ballen is fulfilling his study abroad dream by pursuing his MBA at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. His journey has been marked by determination, new experiences and invaluable support from MPOWER Financing. Explore Juan’s story, his motivation for studying in the U.S. and the financial challenges he faced on his journey.
Motivation behind coming to the U.S.
Before coming to the U.S., Juan was building a career in data analytics in Colombia, but he felt the need to grow professionally and academically beyond his country’s borders. He thought a MBA degree in a foreign country, with concentration in business analytics could be a great boost for his career.
Juan chose the U.S. because he wanted to immerse himself in an environment rich with new opportunities. “I wanted to impact my professional career in an international environment where there is more diversity and professionalism. I felt that it was a great opportunity to undertake and impact my professional career,” he says.
Studying in the U.S. offered Juan the chance to experience a different culture, expand his network and gain perspectives that would contribute significantly to his career growth.
Financial challenges on the way to Indiana University
Like many international students, Juan faced financial challenges when it came to funding his education and living expenses in the U.S. For him, education abroad seemed unachievable until he discovered MPOWER Financing.
“One of the most important moments was knowing how I was going to be able to pay for my studies and be able to follow my dreams,” Juan says. “In my case, it was a great opportunity to have a really important investment toward my MBA. I required a lot of money, and it was not so easy to get ways to be able to pay it.”
MPOWER Financing made it possible for Juan to overcome financial hurdles and pursue his academic goals abroad.
Juan’s story with MPOWER Financing
Juan learned about MPOWER Financing at a conference for international students in the U.S. and Canada. The competitive interest rates and no-cosigner student loans offered by MPOWER particularly appealed to him, given the limited options available in Colombia.
“I found that one of the greatest advantages that MPOWER had was its easy process,” he adds. Having guaranteed funding from a reputable U.S. lender satisfies the school’s requirement to issue an I-20.
Juan remembers how he felt when his loan was approved:
“When I received the acceptance, it was an immense emotion for me. And I knew it was going to open many doors for my future.”
Managing MPOWER loan payments
Juan recognizes the importance of effectively managing his MPOWER loan payments and created a budget to include his recurring payments.
To cover monthly in-school payments, Juan relies on a combination of funding sources. “Part of the payment comes from the savings I had previously. Additionally, I’m applying to be a teaching assistant or an assistant to a department,” he says. This strategic approach provides him with financial stability and helps him manage his interest payments.
By leveraging resources like MPOWER and taking on part-time jobs, Juan can cover his loan payments and successfully build credit in the U.S. through timely repayment. “These opportunities allow me to have some additional income and be a little more financially stable to make the payments of my interest,” he notes.
Advice for fellow international students
Juan believes financial challenges shouldn’t deter you from achieving your aspirations. Instead, he encourages leveraging funding like student loans from MPOWER Financing to make education abroad accessible.
Moreover, Juan emphasizes embracing new experiences and being open to the diverse perspectives you’ll encounter. “Cultural change teaches you to see many new things,” he says. By managing your finances wisely and staying adaptable, you can make the most of your educational journey in the U.S.
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