Valeria Garaycoa

At GW, I’m a third year student majoring in International Business and concentrating in Marketing.

I was born and raised in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where my faith journey began. After receiving my Confirmation, a friend invited me to a nearby Opus Dei center, where I witnessed the joy and peace radiating from people living close to God. This inspired me to deepen my faith through regular formation, the sacraments, and eventually, volunteering as a catechist.

About two years ago, I moved to DC to pursue my bachelor’s degree, and thankfully, God's guidance continued. In my first week, attending the student mass at St. Stephen's connected me to the amazing community at Newman. It instantly felt like a second home, a place where I'm surrounded by genuine and supportive individuals who encourage my personal and spiritual growth. 

I'm thrilled for what this school year holds, and if we haven’t met yet, I would love to meet you! Don’t hesitate to reach out. God bless!