At 19, I traveled about 1,600 miles from my home country of Honduras to the United States in search of new opportunities. Before arriving in the United States, I lived in Guatemala for a year, where I learned about the country’s culture, communities, and food.

After arriving in the United States, I understood the importance of learning English. I attended English classes at a local community high school in Boca Raton, Florida.

After learning English as a second language, I pursued a double major in International Business and Language, with a minor in Economics, at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma. In the fall of 2006, I spent five months away from my husband and two children while studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain. The program also gave me the opportunity to visit other parts of Spain, including San Sebastián in the Basque Country, as well as the Pyrenees.

In 2007, my husband and I opened a web development business. For several years, I used my Spanish-language skills to create content for digital agency websites. When the economy slowed in 2010, we sold the business and returned to corporate jobs.

In 2015, I left my job and spent six weeks volunteering with the Israel Defense Forces. I also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, helping build homes for families with limited incomes, and provided Spanish-language support through NAMI to families affected by mental health challenges.

In 2018, my husband and I trekked to Everest Base Camp in Nepal around my birthday. The following year, we attempted Mount Kilimanjaro. Although we did not reach the summit, we appreciated the experience and what it taught us.

I later returned to full-time work in several finance roles. Over time, the stress of the work encouraged me to pay closer attention to my physical and emotional well-being.

By April 2022, after two years of working from home during the pandemic, I began to reconsider what I wanted from the next stage of my life. I realized that working from home no longer felt right for me and that I needed a change.

After more than 25 years in corporate America, I decided to leave my job. I did not yet know exactly what would come next, but I hoped to travel, keep learning, and experience other cultures and languages.

After leaving my job in April 2022, I took a three-week solo trip through Mexico. I visited Tehuacán, Oaxaca, Orizaba, Veracruz, Catemaco, and Los Tuxtlas, traveling by local bus and spending time in museums and markets. The trip gave me time for reflection and introduced me to many kind people along the way.

Since then, I have traveled to more than 30 countries with my family. Each trip has helped me appreciate different places and perspectives, while allowing me to complete a few long-held travel goals.

For many people, success may include going to college, building a career, getting married, and raising a family. I am grateful for these parts of my own life, and I also believe that personal growth can continue beyond them.

Life still offers opportunities to learn, change direction, and discover new interests at any age.

My husband’s support has made many of these experiences possible, and I am grateful that we continue to encourage one another.

Through this space, I hope to share my interest in travel, what I learn from other cultures, and my ongoing journey of personal growth.

I hope these stories encourage others to make time for the dreams that matter to them and continue learning and growing.