I’m Cami from Argentina — a marketer at heart and lover of travel who relishes the comfort of returning home. My husband, Tatu, is an engineer, a board game enthusiast, and the kind of person who finds joy in making systems more efficient. We’ve been together for over a decade and married for three years.

One of our shared dreams had always been to experience living internationally. Over time, that dream started to take shape through Tatu’s growing interest in pursuing an MBA in the U.S. As his goal became clearer, it naturally became mine too — supporting him in every step, especially during the tough moments of preparing for the GMAT exam, with the hope that this dream would come true for both of us.

Fitting in at Fuqua

As we explored programs, Fuqua quickly stood out. We were drawn in by how connected we felt with alumni even before setting foot in Durham. It felt like Team Fuqua was already opening its doors to us. When Tatu was admitted, we celebrated with excitement but also faced the uncertainty of starting from scratch.

I was at a high point in my career and hesitant about taking a sabbatical — the idea of stepping away felt risky. I was proud of my professional journey and worried about losing momentum, falling behind, and not knowing how I’d get back into the job market. But the pull to build our shared future and embrace this new chapter was stronger. What drove my final decision was our dream as a family and the belief that taking risks can lead to great rewards.

Once in Durham, I immediately felt how intentional Fuqua is about including families. I found spaces to connect, feel welcome, and get involved. While it was challenging at first — I’m naturally shy when I don’t know anyone — I quickly realized that I had to be open to the experience. I joined every activity I could and eventually became part of the Latin American Student Association (LASA) partners’ cabinet. This role gave me a whole new way to connect with others, contribute to the community, and build lasting relationships.

Meeting people from around the world helped me learn about other cultures and traditions, while also giving me the chance to share a piece of Argentina with others. The Latin community played a huge role in making this transition easier — our shared language and customs made things feel familiar, even from far away.

An Invaluable Experience

As time passed, my friendships with other Fuqua students, partners, and their families deepened. We were all starting over, and that shared experience brought us together. Fuqua’s activities became the heart of our life in Durham and helped turn friends into a new kind of family, the kind that truly understands what you’re going through.

I stood by Tatu during his academic journey and job search. There were times of celebration but also challenges and uncertainty. Going through it all together made us stronger as a team — we reminded each other that we’re never alone.

During this time, I had the chance to do things I had always wanted to do but never had enough time for, like reading, getting back into baking, painting with watercolors, making candles, and more. These activities not only brought me joy but also allowed me to reconnect with a sense of creativity and fulfillment that I hadn’t realized I was missing.

Whenever we had time off, we explored the U.S., got to know new countries, and made time to visit Argentina, too. Those breaks helped us recharge and see the big picture. It was a time of growth as a couple — sharing this experience helped us reconnect in a new phase of our lives and also gave us the chance to travel and spend quality time with family and friends.

Looking back, this journey has been transformative for me too. I’ve learned to be more courageous, more open, and more involved. I’ve rediscovered passions and embraced new challenges.

Fuqua’s MBA is a powerful experience for the students, but it has also offered something incredibly meaningful to me as a partner: a chance to grow, to support, and to fully immerse myself in the spirit of Team Fuqua.