I was once an International Student at FIU; it was a big dream of mine, which came true. I was so happy to study at such a beautiful University — so big, so clean, so modern! Well, I think you understand what I am talking about.

I studied in the Graduate Management Program in International Business and Marketing & had such a great experience in all aspects: teachers, friends, the knowledge, the City… everything was so perfect and enriching for my life.

But the most important and lovely of all is the reason why I am writing this text today: at FIU I met my best friend, best classmate and the love of my life, who is now my husband. We both had this wonderful experience as international students at FIU (I am from Colombia and he is from Venezuela).  We were first the best of friends and classmates, and then, when we graduated, got engaged and married in Miami! We were living and working for five years in Miami, then we moved to Venezuela and now we live in Colombia. We have been married for 11 years and have two beautiful children, eight and two years old.

We love Miami, we love FIU, we love our children and we love each other. I went to FIU to achieve one of my dreams and in the process, I got to create my own love story, and today I want to share it with you all!

Recently, we attended the Worlds Ahead Tour in Colombia, here in Bogotá, and were very happy and pleased to meet Paulina Muñoz and George Corton. George knew about our story and invited us to share it for this Valentine’s Day.

Happy Valentine’s Day and thank you, FIU, for so many gifts!

– Diana Artunduaga, FIU alumnus