When CHERY Roberto (Class of 2028, Haiti) landed in Costa Rica in September of 2024, he took a deep breath, as though he had been holding it for a long time. He felt safe as he saw the tropical greenery through the airplane windows, a scene he had been dreaming about for months as he traveled from the Dominican Republic to San José. It hadn’t been easy. When he recounts the story of his journey, he pauses occasionally, as if shaking off difficult memories. Yet, he vividly recalls every detail of his experience.
Roberto always wanted to become an agronomist. His mother, also an agronomist, inspired him with her continuous work in local communities. Although his dream was to study agriculture, he received a scholarship after graduating from high school—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—to study law. Coming from a modest family, Roberto embraced the chance with dedication and hard work. However, during his third year in Port-au-Prince, the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to return to his hometown in southern Haiti.
The assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 created a power vacuum, further destabilizing the nation. In recent years, Haiti has faced a surge in gang activity, instilling fear and disrupting daily life. This insecurity has exacerbated long-standing challenges, including poverty, unemployment, and limited access to basic services. These factors have triggered a mass exodus, with thousands of Haitians seeking refuge and opportunities elsewhere.
Despite the obstacles, Roberto held on to his dream of becoming a professional and a change-maker. He decided to apply to EARTH University, rekindling his aspiration to follow in his mother’s footsteps. When he was accepted, he felt like the happiest person in the world.
In June 2023, Roberto and BAGUIDY Bachmar (Class of 2028, Haiti), who had also been accepted, began a journey that would take over a year to cross the literal and figurative borders standing between them and Costa Rica.
It was a bittersweet experience. Roberto relied on constant support from the Admissions Office to expedite his student visa application. Despite their best efforts, the process took four months. Meanwhile, Roberto and Bachmar started EARTH’s Spanish Program in August, hoping their situation would soon be resolved. Yet, as Roberto puts it, “Even the simplest tasks can turn into storms given Haiti’s current conditions.”
When both students finally received their visas, another challenge arose: how to leave a country with limited diplomatic ties, secure a transit visa in nations overwhelmed by migration flows, and cross the sea to reach their destination. After exhausting every option, the Admissions team secured travel permits for Roberto and Bachmar. These permits allow temporary mobility for individuals unable to access valid passports or who face travel restrictions due to political, humanitarian, or personal crises.
“No one chooses where they are born, but people often judge based on that alone. If we could choose, many would pick a different place, but that’s not possible, and few understand this. The process was tough. After two weeks, I was told I’d receive the travel permit. While I felt happy, I was also drained. Everything took so long because of my passport and the political situation in my country. There were moments when I felt depressed, cried, and prayed, but my mother stayed positive and supported me. When the permit finally arrived, there was a bit of joy in our house, though the journey ahead remained complex,” Roberto recalls.
With their travel permits in hand, Roberto and Bachmar traveled to the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, took a bus to Santo Domingo, and finally boarded a flight to Costa Rica. Sixteen months had passed since they began their journey. At the airport, they had to validate their documents. Exhausted, they finally boarded the plane that brought them to Costa Rica, their new home.
When the plane landed, and the flight attendant welcomed passengers to Costa Rica in Spanish and English, Roberto took a deep breath and felt relieved. He had made it. His journey toward fulfilling his dream had only just begun.
“I feel profoundly blessed. It wasn’t easy—only two people from my country were selected, and I am grateful for this opportunity and everyone who made my journey possible. Studying in Costa Rica has sparked a mix of emotions in me: joy, nervousness, and curiosity about the people, the language, and the culture. Every day I find motivation, though I also reflect on the challenges we overcame to be here,” Roberto shares.
Currently, Roberto lives with a Costa Rican family with whom he has formed a close bond. He appreciates the effort, kindness, and patience they show as they teach him Spanish. He has developed a special taste for gallo pinto, a traditional Costa Rican dish, and is amazed by the large family gatherings for birthdays. As part of the Spanish and Cultural Induction Program that all non-Spanish-speaking students must complete before starting their degree programs, Roberto has built connections with people from diverse contexts and cultures. He speaks about it all with a sincere smile on his face.
His story is a testament to perseverance, faith, and the desire to create a better future for himself, his family, and his country.
Best of luck in this new chapter, Roberto!