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From Darkness to Light: Carolina鈥檚 Story

BYU-Pathway helped Carolina go from feeling lost to becoming a mentor for other students

BYU-Pathway student Carolina de Souza, who was able to find hope in her life while in the midst of battling with depression

When Carolina de Souza from Brazil had to come home early from her mission due to anxiety and depression, she felt she had reached rock-bottom. On top of struggling with her mental health, she felt lost in her career as a teacher. 鈥淚 already had 麻豆精品在线播放, but my mental health made me realize how much I did not enjoy [teaching]. It just didn鈥檛 click.鈥

Carolina wasn鈥檛 sure what to do next. But a simple email offered her a new option.

Carolina received her certificate in family relations from BYU-Pathway in 2023.
Carolina received her certificate in family relations in 2023.

A fresh start

Before her mission, Carolina had taken one BYU-Pathway course. After her mission, she received an email offering her the Returned Missionary Scholarship , which gives a 25% tuition discount to recently returned missionaries. She could continue with BYU-Pathway and pick up where she had left off! It was the opportunity she needed to begin again.

Carolina took her first class in the family and human services degree and felt it was a perfect fit. She was inspired to use her education to help other people who need hope, just like she did after her mission.

鈥淚 fell in love with it,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 want to be there for people 鈥 couples, families, whoever needs me!鈥欌

Hope in new accomplishments

As Carolina completes each certificate, her achievements helped her regain a sense of purpose. 鈥淥nce I got those certificates, I thought, 鈥業 am someone. I can be someone. I can do a lot,鈥欌 she said. 鈥淏YU-Pathway meant that for me. You can accomplish things. You can change your life. There is nothing you cannot do if you put the effort in.鈥

Carolina鈥檚 education through BYU-Pathway has also deepened her connection with Jesus Christ. 鈥淢y education makes my Savior more real to me. I can feel His presence and influence even more because I know I couldn鈥檛 finish my degree by myself.鈥

Sharing the light of education

Carolina is applying the skills she鈥檚 learning to her current job as a BYU-Pathway mentor.
Carolina is applying the skills she鈥檚 learning to her current job as a BYU-Pathway mentor.

Now, Carolina鈥檚 journey has come full circle. She works as a mentor for other BYU-Pathway students as she continues toward her associate degree. She loves encouraging other students and helping them recognize their strengths so they can improve.

鈥淏eing a mentor is the perfect job because it helps me practice what I鈥檓 learning through my education and to develop myself as I help others.鈥

Every day, Carolina gets to share her passion for BYU-Pathway and see the impact it can have: 鈥淏YU-Pathway gives you a chance to become a better person, employee, and disciple of Jesus Christ. It helps you become the best version of yourself.鈥

With renewed hope and optimism, Carolina keeps studying and encourages anyone considering BYU-Pathway to just 鈥済o for it.鈥 She鈥檚 seen firsthand the great impact an education through BYU-Pathway can have.

鈥淏YU-Pathway came to me when I thought I was hopeless鈥. It changed everything. It brought light to my life again!鈥