Moving from Venezuela to the US by herself at the age of 21, Nardy Pena sometimes worked three jobs at a time to support herself as she learned English and adjusted to life in the US.
Prior to coming to the US, Nardy worked as a dental assistant for 2 years and completed 3 years of dental school, putting her on track for achieving her dream of becoming a dentist, a dream she held since she was seven. This came to an end when unexpected circumstances led her to move to the US.
On her 26th birthday, after spending 5 years in the US, Nardy decided she would do whatever it took to fulfill her dream of becoming a dentist. A major inspiration for her is her culture. “I want to represent the Hispanic population in the US and to be an inspiration for those who may have faced situations similar to mine.”
After completing coursework at Valencia College and obtaining her dental assistant certification, she worked for a dentist in Orlando and started attending UCF.
Nardy believes it’s important to never give up on your dreams. As she prepares for a Spring 2024 graduation and submits applications to US dental schools, Nardy reflects about her time as a Health Sciences major. “I started with just one class, and I said to myself the secret to getting ahead is getting started.”
