A Panamanian Far from Panama: Finding Home Abroad

Brenda Rodriguez’s Journey from Panama to Truckee Meadows Community College

Life is too short to stay in one place!

Hello everyone, my name is Brenda Rodriguez and I’m originally from Panama. I grew up in a blessed home with a great family: my mom, my two older sisters, and my twin brother. I spent my childhood and most of my teenage life in Panama. 

In 2017, I graduated from high school with a computer science focus, and for the next three years, I dedicated myself to learning the English language with the hope that at some point in my life I would visit the United States. As a single mom, my mom always gave us all the love she had and did her best to prepare us for this life. I am thankful to her for the person I have become now

Leaving home without turning back…

In 2019, when one of my sisters came back from the USA after being in an exchange program, I decided to follow her in her footsteps, motivated by her experience and stories. That same year I applied for the program and in February 2021, I moved to Maryland. 

For the first time in my life, I was doing something for myself and by myself (no mama or siblings around, just me). I lived in Maryland for 2 years with a host family which became more than a temporary home over time.The Barrow family welcomed me as one of them and their family union always made me feel like home (their delicious food was a plus). They took me to every family gathering, every road trip, every party (or sometimes I just invited myself) and I NEVER felt alone with them.  

The process of assimilation was really hard at the beginning but they were a great support for me during that time. I always used to say, “They were not lucky to have me, I was lucky to find them.”

Those two years I had fun, made really good friends, improved my English skills, and of course, made one or two little mistakes, but those are learning experiences. I gained so much knowledge about life and myself during those years, so when I thought I was almost a “mature” girl and that I had everything planned for the following years, life had other plans for me and showed that I had no control over things, having so much more to learn…

New Life in Reno, New Family at TMCC 

With great sadness, I left Maryland and everything I already knew, and in August 2023 I moved to Nevada to be able to achieve my goal of studying in the United States. I had to start all over again, go through homesickness, crying, getting to know new people, and of course, regret having taken that decision. I saw those feelings so impossible to get over and the idea of having my old life back so out of reach.

I currently live with my uncle and aunt who are the most lovely and funny persons you will ever meet. They have helped and supported me so much in this new phase of my life, and I’m thankful for everything they have done for me. I love my career, and I have integrated in Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) as I never thought I would. 

Fortunately, TMCC helped me to create good relationships and has given me amazing friendships in which I have had the opportunity to live new adventures and experience new places. Now and after 11 months if you ask me if I’d want my old life back, I’d say “No, I LOVE my life here!!” Would I do this again? “Yes!” I would do it over and over if I had the chance.

As a new blogger, my goal is to share with you all my experiences that I know for sure we all have lived here or will live if you are planning to embark on this journey and work as a guide and motivator for this experience that we all share, called “studying abroad.” 

Brenda Rodriguez from Panama is an international student at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nevada.