For many young adults, the early stages of adulthood feel like a period of uncertainty and unanswered questions.
Who am I becoming?
How can I grow spiritually and professionally simultaneously?
Where can I find mentors who guide with compassion and clarity?
For Esther Martins, from Brazil, those questions led her to Cumorah Academy, where she experienced firsthand the life-changing power of international student leadership.
Before Cumorah: A Life Moving Forward, but Missing Something
Before she ever set foot in the Czech Republic, Esther was already working hard to build her future. She worked in the field of Biomedicine and was earning her education through BYU Pathway Worldwide. Esther wanted to improve her English and expand her opportunities. And she wanted to “find a way to internationalize my studies and career,” as she describes it.
But she also longed for something deeper — a place where she could grow professionally while strengthening her faith.
“I often wondered if there was a place where I could feel both physically and spiritually safe while developing myself in the way Christ did when He was on the earth,” Esther recalled.
When former students and interns told her about Cumorah Academy, she felt a spark of hope. Maybe this was the missing piece. Maybe this was where everything could finally come together.
And it did.
A Foundation of Faith, Courage, and Purpose
From her first week on campus, Esther realized she had stepped into something rare — a community that actively teaches young adults how to become disciplined, confident, compassionate leaders.
“Through my experience there, I learned how doing good must be a daily effort toward everyone, and how I am responsible for my own life — to lead myself, my family, and my community.”
This shift in her mindset was powerful. She began to understand that leadership is not an event or a position. It’s a daily decision — to grow, to serve, to act with integrity, and to develop the courage to step beyond your comfort zone. That courage, she says, opened her eyes:
“It opened my understanding of how much greater the world and its possibilities become when we have the courage to step out of our comfort zone.”
This is the heart of international student leadership: the willingness to stretch, learn, and redefine what’s possible.
International Student Leadership Lesson #1: “Be a giver, not a taker.”
Of all the lessons Esther learned, one remained engraved in her heart:
She explains that this principle shaped her entire experience:
“Starting my experience at Cumorah and ending it with this principle — to help, to bless, and to allow myself to be a light in someone else’s life — showed me the purpose I had been seeking in the midst of the chaos I was experiencing when I decided to go to Cumorah.”
During the semester, she practiced giving: her time, her smiles, her encouragement, her willingness to listen, her efforts to uplift her classmates. And at the end of the three months, the impact was unmistakable:
“Finishing with this lesson helped me look back on the three months and clearly see all the areas where I had improved and what I should continue to focus on moving forward.”
Leadership rooted in service became her compass — a foundational part of her identity as she stepped forward into international student leadership.
Growth Beyond the Semester
Returning home after Cumorah didn’t mean the journey ended. Instead, it accelerated.
Esther shares:
“I returned to my specialization, continued my language studies in English, German, and French, and started helping to promote Cumorah Academy in Brazil through educational events and social media.”
This desire to share the opportunity with others is one of the strongest indicators of international student leadership. When a young adult experiences meaningful growth, they naturally want others to experience it too.
Today, she continues her work as an aesthetic biomedical professional. She is also researching opportunities to study and work abroad — pathways she feels prepared for because of her time at the Academy.
International Student Leadership Through Mentorship
Every transformative experience includes a mentor who plays a critical role in a student’s growth. For Esther, that powerful influence came through Ross and Kim.
“For sure, Ross and Kim. They showed me how a genuine willingness to help others is one of the most powerful tools we can offer, and they also taught me the importance of creating real connection.”
This kind of mentorship — filled with sincerity, patience, and example — is what helps young adults develop into leaders. It is also a defining pillar of international student leadership at Cumorah Academy: young people learning from mentors who live what they teach.
Academic Preparation for a Global Market
While at Cumorah, Esther studied Leadership, Sales, Public Speaking, Investment and Finance, and Religion (Institute). Each class added something essential to her professional and spiritual growth.
When asked what stood out the most in preparing her for her career, she answered without hesitation:
“Definitely communication: learning how to connect with my clients, always deliver more than expected, and apply effective sales techniques.”
These skills became immediately useful in her biomedicine work — but even more importantly, they positioned her to enter international markets with confidence.
“I currently work as an aesthetic biomedical professional, but Cumorah prepared me to enter the international market — both in the health field and in the area of sales.”
This blend of professionalism, faith, and interpersonal skill is what makes her story a model of international student leadership.
Advice for Future Students
For those preparing to attend Cumorah Academy — or simply dreaming about it — Esther offers simple, powerful guidance:
“Focus on your studies, manage your time well, and take the Accountability Challenge with you into your future.”
These principles strengthen discipline, spiritual confidence, and leadership credibility. They reflect the daily habits necessary for sustained growth, both during and after the program.
Why Esther’s Story Matters to Young Adults
Esther’s journey resonates with young adults because it captures a universal desire: the desire to grow into someone capable of making a difference. Her experience shows that:
- Faith and professional development can grow together.
- One semester abroad can shift your life’s direction.
- Real leadership begins with serving others.
- Courage expands your world.
- Mentorship shapes your path.
And most importantly:
You can build a meaningful life by choosing growth one day at a time.
Start Your Own International Student Leadership Journey
Esther came to Cumorah Academy searching for safety, direction, purpose, and confidence — and she found all of it. Now it’s your turn.
If you’re a young adult who wants to grow academically, spiritually, and personally in an environment built on service, responsibility, and faith, Cumorah Academy is ready for you. Apply today and take the first step toward becoming the kind of leader the world needs. Your international student leadership journey begins the moment you say yes.
Written by Fernando L. Ferreira Jr.
Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
