A memoir published with the support of Global Catalyst

The Girl who Crossed mountains

An Immigrant Teen’s Memoir of Leaving Venezuela and Chasing the American Dream

By Isabella Rodriguez | Global Catalyst Youth Leader

discover a story of courage and resilience

She packed one suitcase. She left her whole world behind. And she discovered that starting over is its own kind of brave.

At just 14 years old, Isabella Rodriguez left Venezuela and everything she knew behind to begin a new life in the United States.

Now 17, she’s sharing her journey in The Girl Who Crossed Mountains, a deeply personal memoir about navigating a new country, overcoming language barriers, and finding her voice.

From the challenges of adapting to an unfamiliar education system to the mentors and friendships that helped her find her place, Isabella offers an honest, firsthand look at the immigrant experience through the eyes of a teenager.

Whether you’re a student navigating a new beginning, an educator supporting immigrant youth, or someone seeking to better understand the immigrant experience, Isabella’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, belonging, and the courage to begin again.

read isabella’s story

MEET THE AUTHOR

ISABELLA RODRiGUEZ

AGE 17 | FLORIDA

Isabella Rodriguez is a student, author, and young changemaker who is using her experiences as an immigrant to create opportunities for others.

Inspired by the challenges she faced after moving from Venezuela to the United States, Isabella founded Camino al Futuro, an initiative that supports immigrant and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students through mentorship, educational resources, and workshops.

In its first year, Camino al Futuro has:

Supported 35+ ESOL students.
Created 50+ pages of educational resources to help students navigate the U.S. education system.
Organized a family information event attended by 50+ community members.

As a participant in a Global Catalyst leadership program, Isabella also received funding, mentorship, and professional support to bring her longtime dream of writing a memoir to life.

Through her book and her advocacy, Isabella hopes to build greater understanding of the immigrant experience and help ensure that no student has to navigate a new beginning alone.

Learn more about Isabella’s work here.

ABOUT GLOBAL CATALYST

Global Catalyst mentors girls around the world to become powerful advocates and confident leaders.

Our signature program, GLOW Club, connects girls in some of the world’s most underserved areas with trusted local mentors and a safe space to express themselves as they develop their agency, find their voice, and build their power. Since our founding, we’ve ignited the power of more than 100,000 girls, sparking a growing movement of youth-led change that is transforming communities — and the world — for the better

Through mentorship programs, Global Catalyst supports young leaders like Isabella in turning their ideas into action. With funding, mentorship, and professional guidance, girls can bring projects to life that address challenges they see in their communities.

When girls have the support and resources to lead, extraordinary change becomes possible.

SUPPORT GIRLS LIKE ISABELLA

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