Hi, my name is Rubi Jara, and my life journey has been nothing short of an adventure. I was born in Peru, but when I was nine years old, my family moved to Barcelona, Spain. It was in this vibrant city that I grew up and began shaping the dreams that would eventually lead me across continents.

As I grew older, I felt a deep desire to serve others and decided to embark on a mission in Córdoba, Argentina. Those months of service taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, empathy, and leadership. After completing my mission, I felt an undeniable calling to learn English—a skill I knew would open doors for my career. Following much prayer and contemplation, I made the bold decision to move to Utah.

I enrolled in an English academy, dedicating a year to mastering the language. Shortly after, I began my educational journey at Ensign College, where I graduated in December 2021 with an associate degree and two certificates: one in Digital Marketing and another in Social Media Marketing. After graduation, I took a year off to refocus and plan my next steps. In January 2023, I started pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Strategic Communication with a minor in Marketing at Utah Valley University (UVU). Now, as I approach the finish line of my degree, I am excited to share that I’m completing an internship at Cumorah Academy.

Why Cumorah?

To graduate with my bachelor’s degree, I needed to complete an internship. However, finding the right one wasn’t easy. For over a year, I searched and applied, facing rejection after rejection. Yet, I held onto the belief that the right opportunity would come at the right time.

In August 2024, my patience was rewarded. Through UVU’s International Internship Department, I learned about Cumorah Academy—an incredible chance to work in the Czech Republic with all expenses covered for three months. The opportunity sounded too good to pass up, so I applied. To my joy and gratitude, I was accepted and began my journey with Cumorah Academy in January.

Getting to the Czech Republic was an adventure in itself. My journey began in Utah, with flights connecting through Amsterdam before reaching Prague. Exhausted, I slept almost the entire trip and avoided jet lag altogether. However, not everything went as planned. My flight made an unexpected emergency stop in Germany because it had run out of fuel and Prague was too foggy for landing. After 14 long hours of waiting, I finally touched down in the enchanting city of Prague. It was a test of patience and faith, but I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.

My First Week

The first week at Cumorah Academy has been nothing short of transformative. On my first day, I settled into my cozy new home for the semester and joined the group for dinner, feeling both excitement and curiosity about the journey ahead.

The next day was filled with training sessions, where I delved deeper into Cumorah Academy’s mission, vision, and leadership principles. The academy’s commitment to empowering individuals to grow professionally and personally resonated deeply with me.

What I cherish most about this experience is the culture of mutual support. Everyone here embodies a spirit of giving—helping, uplifting, and encouraging one another to be their best selves. It’s a place where selflessness is celebrated, and community thrives.

I can’t forget to mention the food! Each meal is a testament to the love and care of the cooks, who go above and beyond to make us feel at home. Their kindness reminds me that even the smallest gestures can have a profound impact.

As I continue this incredible journey at Cumorah Academy, I’m filled with gratitude for the challenges, lessons, and moments that brought me here. I can’t wait to see how this chapter unfolds and to share the experiences that will shape my future.

Written by Rubi J. Osccorima

Photos by Felipe E. Carrillo

Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer

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