A Journey of Belonging: Kimberly Bourdeau's Path from Haiti to UC Chile

Kimberly Bourdeau is a cheerful and charismatic young woman who came to Chile seeking better opportunities. She was unaware that the journey would bring joy, difficulties, and personal achievements she never imagined. 

Her mother was the first to make the move, paving the way for Kimberly—or "Kim"—who reunited with her mother and younger brother after more than six years apart in 2019. By then, the family had grown, as a new baby sister had been born in Chile. 

One of Kim's first significant challenges was overcoming the language barrier. She spoke Creole and French but had only a limited grasp of Spanish.

With a mix of fear and determination, Kimberly Bourdeau graduated from the high school Liceo Valle Hermoso de Peñalolén. She earned a business administration degree specializing in human resources in this technical-professional school.

"When I did my internship, I realized that this wasn't what I wanted to do for the rest of my life," she recalls. Her high school participated in the PACE (Access to Higher Education) Program, tied to Universidad de Chile, so she knew nothing about UC Chile.

At the insistence of a social worker, she filled out the FUAS (Single Form of Socioeconomic Accreditation) and took the PDT (University Transition Test). "I used my expired ID card and serial number—the ones they give you when the card expires," she laughs. 

"I was terrified when I enrolled because my documents were no longer valid. But I went ahead and enrolled, and nothing bad happened," Kimberly adds with a smile. Not knowing much about UC Chile, Kimberly applied after a PACE student from Universidad de Chile encouraged her. "They told me I had a high PACE score, above average, and that I should try applying to UC Chile," she explains.

To her surprise, she was accepted. "That's how I ended up at UC Chile, without really knowing what I was getting into. When I arrived, it felt so surreal. I kept asking myself, 'What am I doing here?'" 

Foreign Students Network: A Space for Everyone 

Kim's first year at UC Chile was challenging.

She had several tutors who were always there to support her, but she still struggled to feel like she truly belonged. Over time, and despite moments when she seriously considered dropping out of her program, someone—whether from the School of Psychology or the Office of Inclusion—always offered words of encouragement, reminding her: "You can do this!" 

"When I started at UC Chile, I noticed there were spaces for everyone, no matter what you were into—there was always a place to explore what you loved. But then I realized there wasn't anything specifically for foreign students," she reflects.

In her second year, Kim was invited to join a student gathering called Migration UC, an initiative that had gradually lost momentum but one she felt was worth reviving. Determined to bring it back to life, she sought support from the School of Psychology, where her idea was met with enthusiasm.

Around that time, she connected with Asael Jalocha, a Chilean engineering student who left the country at three and later enrolled at UC Chile through a special admissions program for students who completed high school abroad. "She feels like a foreigner in her own country, just like us," Kim explains. 

With this shared understanding, they set out to rebuild Migration UC, transforming it into a safe and welcoming space for students from other countries. "But we decided to change the name because the word 'migration' often carries negative connotations, as it's frequently associated in the media with crime or the idea that migrants take jobs from Chileans. We wanted to showcase the positive side of migration, highlighting how it enriches communities," Kim explains.

With this goal in mind, they set out to raise awareness and change perceptions. After brainstorming several options, they launched the Foreign Students Network (Red de Alumnos Extranjeros, RAE), a student-led initiative at UC Chile that now boasts more than 60 members from around the world.  

During this time, Kim met Paola Bastardo, a fellow third-year psychology student from Venezuela. The two became close friends, with Paola becoming a key source of support for Kim in Chile, especially after Kim's family decided to migrate again.  

Through this student organization, Kimberly aims to support others who are going through the same challenges she faced. "When I first arrived at UC Chile, my experience was very different from that of other international students. I can't blend in with the rest; even without saying a word, people notice I'm a foreigner," she explains, referencing her skin color.

"I stayed with RAE because I wanted other international students to have a space where they could express themselves and not feel out of place at the university. In RAE, I don't feel different—I feel at home here," she adds. 

Putting Down Roots and Thriving 

At the start of her second year, Kimberly thought she had already overcome the hardest part. However, a new challenge awaited her. Her mother had decided to migrate once again, leaving Chile to join relatives in the United States.

"I wanted to stay because I had struggled so much with learning Spanish and didn't want to go through that again. I was terrified to start all over. It was a huge issue for me," she recalls. Determined to stay, Kimberly fought to remain in Chile, knowing that her mother didn't want to leave her behind. 

With the support of Manuel, her PACE tutor, and the School of Psychology, Kimberly was able to secure a residency scholarship. She then had to convince her mother to let her stay and continue pursuing her goals.

"The residency scholarship is typically awarded to students from other regions of the country who go home on weekends or during vacations. But I have no family here; I'm alone in Chile," says Kimberly, who now benefits from the scholarship, providing her with a safe place to live year-round. 

Kim has been living alone in Santiago for two years, missing her family but finding comfort in the knowledge that her hard work will soon pay off when she graduates.

"When I first started living on my own, I thought, 'Wow, I'll have more freedom. I won't need to ask permission to go out.' But then I realized I had to manage everything by myself—doing my own laundry, cooking, cleaning, and studying. The hardest part, though, was coming home to an empty residence. Back home, my little siblings were always there, but there is no one here," she says with a hint of sadness. 

Kim found her second home through the RAE—a space where she doesn't feel different, can be herself, and truly belongs.

"This network is open to the entire UC Chile community, whether they are Chilean or international students," she explains. "We've noticed that foreign students tend to gravitate toward others who are similar to them," Kim says. "And I completely understand that. There's no better way to feel safe and supported than by being around people who share similar experiences."However, she adds, "One of our goals is to encourage more interaction across different groups."

Despite the significant time and effort required to coordinate the RAE, Kim does it with enthusiasm. Her aim is to help make UC Chile a more welcoming space for the international community and ensure that the network she leads becomes a source of support for those far from home.