Building Connections and Belonging: Camilo and Deissy’s Journey with Intercambio
Intercambio meets students and volunteers at meaningful points along their journeys. For students, it’s often after they’ve arrived in a new country, looking for connections and eager to build skills, improve job prospects, and deepen their understanding of their new home. For our community volunteers, it’s when they’re ready to give back, engage in new ways, learn about different cultures, and make new friendships. Intercambio is the bridge that makes these connections possible, creating opportunities for growth and belonging for everyone involved.
Meet Camilo and Deissy
Before relocating to the US, Camilo Duran and Deissy Lara had accomplished many things and experienced many adventures. They earned college degrees in their home country of Colombia, began careers in business administration and music instruction respectively, and got married. As a young couple, they embarked on a journey that took them to Kenya, then Europe. But they were still interested in doing more.
Interested in continuing their journey, they decided to settle in the U.S., drawn by the prospect of learning English and exploring new opportunities. After a few weeks of job hunting, they were introduced to the priest in charge of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Boulder at a dinner party. Soon afterward, he offered Deissy a position as music teacher at the Sacred Heart school. With very little experience with Colorado, Camilo and Deissy packed their bags and headed west.
Camilo and Deissy never thought their journey would bring them to Boulder, a place that at times can be isolating and lonely, with stark disparities in wealth and opportunity between various groups. They were far from home and friends, in a very different culture. “When we got married, we didn’t imagine being here. We’re grateful for our marriage, because being here makes us stronger in our relationship,” confided Deissy.
English is “like a heavy backpack you carry all the time.”
As they settled into their new home, they sought an opportunity to improve their English. Deissy appreciated that her work is teaching music, which she described as “its own communication, its own language.” But some aspects of her job were difficult with limited English skills. Sometimes her students would make comments about how she talked, and she felt self-conscious when needing to make announcements to the congregation or interact with parents in English.
For Camilo, he understood that improving his English would improve his employment prospects. They were excited to be in a new place, on a new adventure. But being unable to engage easily with others in English is “like a heavy backpack you carry all the time. It is very hard,” Deissy explained. They needed a flexible, approachable way to improve their language skills that would fit around their busy work schedules.
Learning Through Intercambio
About a year after they relocated to Boulder, Deissy and Camilo met Norma Fuentes, the Director of English Programs at Intercambio, whose granddaughter attends the Sacred Heart school. Norma shared Intercambio’s teaching approach with Deissy, and talked with her about how to get involved. Deissy and Camilo both requested 1:1 teachers and began classes soon after. The customization and flexibility of 1:1 classes were perfect for the couple’s needs.
Both appreciate the personal nature of their classes, which can be adapted depending on interest or need. In one case, when Deissy was double charged at Costco, the lesson for that week became a field trip to Costco to request a return!
Camilo pointed to Intercambio’s practical approach and valuable lessons for daily life in the US. These lessons were critical for him, such as when to visit the emergency room versus the doctor or urgent care. Particularly helpful was the lesson on what to do and not do when being pulled over for a traffic violation. “I had the experience of meeting the police,” he confided. “The Intercambio lesson really helped.”
“Who else teaches that? I love the pedagogy,” Deissy added.
Connection and Belonging
Beyond practical skills and knowledge, the personal connections that develop in Intercambio’s English classes are invaluable to both students and teachers. Deissy and Camilo have built special bonds with their instructors. Deissy appreciates that her teacher, Cathleen, offers patient, thoughtful guidance, correcting her in a manner that helps Deissy learn with confidence. Cathleen also shares cultural nuances, especially those important in educational settings relevant to Deissy’s role as a music teacher.
When Dave Read, an Intercambio teacher of over 20 years, first met Camilo, Dave knew that he and Camilo would have a special bond. “Camilo is so personable and willing to ask questions. When I first met him, I thought, ‘This is really going to work out. This is going to be great!’” Dave shared.
Dave knows firsthand the challenges of adapting to life in a new country. In the 1980s, Dave and his young family lived abroad in Germany as part of a laboratory exchange program. “So I lived the immigrant experience. We needed a lot of help, and you appreciate the help you get,” Dave explained. “I thought I might have perspective to bring to teaching.”
Their support for each other is truly reciprocal. While Dave recovered from surgery, Camilo helped by shoveling his snow. Dave always asks after Deissy, and he even invited the couple to join his family for Thanksgiving. Their connection may have begun through English classes, but their relationship has grown into a true friendship.
The Next Phase of Their Journey
Deissy and Camilo are appreciative of their time in Boulder, but they’re not sure what their journey holds next. “Learning English in the culture is the best way,” said Deissy. “No matter where we go, we keep the knowledge of English. And for now, we will stay and learn.”
“Sometimes, learning English feels impossible. We feel frustrated, but we are not afraid. We keep working, and we are grateful to Intercambio,” added Camilo.
Join the Journey!
Intercambio strives to cultivate new levels of cross-cultural connection and belonging, one conversation at a time. Last year, we connected 1,110 students, 311 teachers in Boulder County and nationwide. Our organization meets immigrants at one point on a continuum, helping them develop skills and confidence to continue their paths, more confident and closer to achieving their ultimate goals.
Each person who joins our community, as a student, volunteer, or donor, truly changes and adds to the journey. With your support, we can connect more students and volunteer teachers, creating more connections and more belonging than ever in 2025.
Will you help us reach our $300,000 fundraising goal by December 31, to connect more people like Deissy, Catherine, Camilo, and Dave? Click below to join the journey. It won’t be the same without you!
