Autobiography

Early years
I was born in San Jos, in 1967. I am the youngest of three brothers. Raised by my mother and
grandmother, we grew up in Tibs. My aunts lived in the US. When the oldest visited my Mom
when I was six years old, I realized how much I liked English language. Mom noticed that, and
since then she figured out a way to help me take courses. People used to come to offer options at
my school; however, it was at age ten when Mom enrolled me in the American Business
Academy, located nearby Central Park in San Jos. This was an academy ran by a US citizen
who was living in Costa Rica for many years. I studied there for five years. I was a good student,
but all along those years I could not speak English like I wanted. This experience help me
through high school, though. I was among the best in the subject during those years.

University years: First stage

After graduating from high school, I wanted to study Computer Sciences at UCR. My grades did
not allow me to do so. I tried during two years to achieve that goal, unsuccessfully. In 1987, I
quit trying and decided to study English as a major. At that time, I was searching for a job just
like any young adult that wanted some economic independence. And also, I considered leaving
the country with a scholarship to the US. In 1989, after two attempts, I qualified in second place,
as a substitute, for a full scholarship. Although the student in first place did not go due to
personal issues, I could not go either because he did not inform the university on schedule to do
the replacement. That was incredibly disappointing. In 1990, I found a way to move back to
Computer Sciences, but this time at UNA. I studied there for a Diplomado; nevertheless, some

time before the end of it, I had the chance to switch to Universidad Latina for Bachelors degree.
I graduated from there in 1995.

University years: Second stage

Some years later, I met a person who introduced me into translation. She told me about a
Licenciatura that was offered by UNA. I could enter from my Computer Sciences degree. I
finished it, but I could not finish my thesis. By then, I made another attempt to get a scholarship
to an US university. I had a very good chance, but one more time something external to me
ruined the opportunity. For some reason, a company that funded the scholarship decided to retire
its support. This forced to require myself funding about $10.000. So, this meant an impossible
for me.
I had gotten married in 1999 and in 2002 we had a baby boy. My son was close to die at birth,
and he faced some health problems. I decided to prioritize and focus on family. Besides, I
thought my wife needed her own chance to pursue her university degree. So, I stepped back to let
her continue her major. In 2006, I decided to pursue a degree in teaching in former CIPET, a
center created by MEP to develop and graduate teachers in several fields to fulfill its personnel
necessities for primary, secondary and technical education. At some point in 2007, I could not
finish because CIPET was not offering the courses I required. Once again I had to focus on other
aspects of life awaiting new chances to continue.

Nowadays
In 2012, my Mom got sick and I had to take care of her with my brothers. In 2014, she passed
away after a respiratory decease that seriously affected her. By the end of that year, I enrolled at

UTN for 2015 to reassume my English major, and in 2015, I came back to former CIPET which
turned CFPTE. Fortunately, most of courses from UCR and my degree from ULATINA were
accepted to pursue my Diplomado from ILE and the Bachelor to teach English and Computer
Sciences at CFPTE.
While writing this short biography, I am few courses away to obtain the three degrees
simultaneously. I am very happy and proud to achieve these goals which I had fought so hard to
reach for several years. The next steps will include being recruited by MEP, and stepping into my
Licenciatura at CFPTE.
I wish my Mom were here to see my achievements. She always supported me with her caring
love and pushed me thru difficulties.
Thanks Mom. Love you and miss you!!!