The steps that took Juan Pablo Villar from Santiago, Chile, to the Tanner Building happened because of a once-in-a-lifetime meeting with the Chilean president.
“During the meeting I had the impression that the church needed more influential leaders in areas like business, politics, and government,” says Villar, who at the time served as a stake president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “I knew that the only way to rise to more influential circles was to have a better education.”
That impression weighed heavily on Villar’s mind, and he resolved to do his part by getting an education in the United States.
Such aspirations might have seemed impractical to some, coming from a working-class man nearing forty with rudimentary English skills, a wife, three children, and a degree from what amounted to a community college. But to Juan Pablo, it was his duty.
“If I can get a better education to help out the church and my country, then it’s a goal for me,” he says simply.
After discussing his dilemma at length with family, friends, and ecclesiastical leaders, Villar enlisted in the ranks of the 2,300 international students at BYU.
Villar’s decision to pursue an MBA degree was just the beginning. Apart from the jungle of red tape, forms, and applications to study in the United States, he had to learn English and pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) before he could even consider taking the GMAT, the MBA admissions exam.
“The GMAT is made for English speakers, so for a foreign student the difficulty is multiplied,” Villar says. “I would go to class around 7 a.m. to study for the TOEFL. I had English classes from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and I would also stick around for another five hours to study for the GMAT. This went on five or six days a week for seven months.”
The demoralizing schedule took its toll on more than just Villar.
“It was hard not to see him all the time,” says his wife, Carolla. “All we could do was support him and not complain about his not being home, even though the kids wanted dad home.”
Villar readily recognizes the struggle he and his family went through. But ultimately, both Villar and his wife say the transition went well.
“I don’t know if I’ll be the change for the church or Chile,” Villar says. “I’m starting something different for my family though. We have to get the best education possible in order to do everything within our reach in this life.”
