Ibagué, Colombia
Undergraduate, Marketing
Thomas came to UNO from Ibagué, Colombia, in 2013 with through the ILUNO program. He completed the ILUNO program and is now studying marketing. He plans to manage an international trade company and travel around the world after completing his degree. Here's what Thomas says about UNO:
Why did you choose to come to UNO?It is a community which has enrolled students from many countries in the world. It provides me with different points of view, depending on each person I meet here. I can expand my frontier, improve my skills and be a better person in the world.
What do you like about UNO and Omaha?The different cultures of students on campus such as Saudi Arabia, Japan, China, Europe or Africa. When I sit with some of them, I feel that this is my country, my house, my people.
What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes?Playing tennis, volleyball, drawing dancing, parties, and eating at Burger King!
What advice would you give to other students who are looking for a university in the United States?Each step you take, remember that you’re representing your country, your house and your family.
What did it mean to you to receive the New International Student Scholarship from UNO?Only last week I was thinking about my next year, my future, and considering whether I should go back to Colombia or stay in U.S. After thinking it over, I decided to stay here and continue my education at UNO.
A year ago I wasn’t expecting to come to the U.S and study English. It was like diving in a river, where anything could happen, and I didn’t care at all. God sent me someone who talked to me about Omaha, a small town that is really hot in the summer and really cold in the winter, and about UNO and its ILUNO program. I did everything the university told me to do to start the English Program in March 2013.
I remembered talking to myself, saying that I won’t finish my major in Colombia, I want to go to UNO. My mom, to whom I’m really thankful, is always proud of me and tells me that everything I pursue I get. And now, the last month of the year, I got the ILUNO Scholarship to start my major in Marketing at UNO.
This was the happiest day of the year for me and I won’t forget it. I felt very proud of myself. I say thank you to everyone who helped me on my way to success, saying to God thank you as he’s always giving me the best.