Passion and determination bear fruit.

By: Alejandro García Suárez – Advisory Office of Communications

Leydi Patarroyo recalls that her time at the University of Cundinamarca was not marked by the best grades, but rather by a deep passion for animals, the countryside and caring for the environment. Before studying Animal Science, she completed a livestock technician course at SENA, an experience that allowed her to confirm her professional vocation.

Her academic journey was challenging and took longer than expected to graduate, but she never abandoned her goal. Her thesis focused on wildlife and the development of a management manual for the gray titi monkey, research that would mark a turning point in her story.

Thanks to an institutional grant, she received a scholarship to travel to Mexico and develop part of her academic project related to an endemic otter species. It was her first time leaving Colombia, and the experience sparked a new passion in her: exploring the world. “I was thrilled. The university gave me an opportunity that transformed my life. There, I met professionals, learned so much, and discovered something I didn't know about myself: I was passionate about traveling and learning about other cultures,” she said.

During her time in Mexico, she discovered professional opportunities that inspired her to dream of an international career. However, an unexpected obstacle halted her plans: her lack of English proficiency prevented her from accessing a job opportunity that seemed within her grasp. Back in Colombia, she experienced moments of frustration, but she decided to turn this difficulty into a new challenge. Without the resources to pay for specialized courses, she sought free alternatives to learn English while gaining professional experience in the livestock sector. “I decided I was going to learn English and that I was going to try again,” she affirmed.

Life surprised her again when the possibility of traveling to Australia arose. With family support and an educational loan, she arrived in that country with the intention of studying English for eight months and then returning to Mexico. Without knowing it, that decision would completely change her destiny. What seemed like a temporary stay became a nine-year experience. During that time, she performed various jobs, from cleaning and customer service to childcare and pet care, while strengthening her command of the language and adapting to a new culture.

Over the years, Leydi managed to enter the horse racing industry, one of the sectors she had always wanted to explore. There, she found an opportunity to apply her knowledge, grow professionally, and demonstrate that attitude and perseverance can open doors anywhere in the world. “I learned that dreams require patience; many times I wanted to give up, but every experience taught me something,” she said.

It wasn't all easy; the distance from her family, the loss of loved ones, financial difficulties, and some episodes of anxiety and depression tested her strength. However, each experience became a lesson that strengthened her character and transformed her vision of life.

In Australia, she also discovered new passions such as photography, hiking, travel, and writing. For years, she captured her emotions, learnings, and reflections in notebooks and on loose sheets of paper, never imagining that those words would one day become a book. When she seemed close to obtaining Australian citizenship, changes in immigration requirements altered her plans. After analyzing her situation, she decided to close that chapter and embark on a new adventure, traveling through countries like Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates through volunteer experiences.

During those travels, Leydi strengthened her interest in sharing stories and created her personal brand, “Lamona Exploradora” (Explorer Monkey), through which she began narrating her experiences, connecting with others, and promoting messages of personal growth, resilience, and transformation. This entire journey culminated in “Visa Negada” (Visa Denied), the book she published to share the lessons learned during years of travel, challenges, and reinventions. The book opened doors for her to academic settings and conferences where she inspires others to pursue their dreams and overcome their own limitations.

Today, Leydi returns to the University of Cundinamarca with a deep sense of gratitude. Her message to the students is clear: believe in yourselves, take action, and understand that dreams do not depend on circumstances, but on the determination with which each person decides to build their own path.

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