-Blake Halvorson
The StepUP program attracts students in recovery from all around the globe. We have had students from ten different countries and forty-four states. This semester we have two international students, one from Iceland and one from Peru bringing more diversity into the StepUP program.
Jaime, a sophomore in the StepUP program was born and raised in the Barranco district of Lima, Peru. He grew up attending a private English school in Peru. Jaime came to Minnesota in need of treatment in June 2012 and attended Hazelden Center for Youth and Family. He had been to the U.S. before visiting family in Miami but says that did not prepare him for the weather. The weather is the largest difference between Minnesota and Peru. Another challenge he faces is not being able to work as he can only have either a student or work visa.
The reason he came to Minnesota for treatment was because his family knew the method practiced by the treatment centers in Peru were not what Jaime needed. Peru’s treatment facilities were similar to a correctional facility where a lot of Jaime’s friends attended and were not able to remain sober.
After treatment Jaime looked into attending college and was deciding between Augsburg College and St. Thomas. He chose Augsburg College because of the StepUP program and has been sober since he left Peru for treatment. He is majoring in business and economics and will either go home after graduation for two years to return to complete his masters, or enroll in an Office of Technology Management internship.
Jaime is a bright, charismatic student with a lot of passion for life. He is an aspiring businessman who the StepUP program is happy to have.