Michael Vargas in his room on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in Miami.
Eva Marie Uzcategui for NPR
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Eva Marie Uzcategui for NPR
From Colombia to the U.S.: A Journey of Resilience
Michael Vargas Arango’s submission to NPR’s College Podcast Challenge marked a turning point in his life that he never anticipated. His podcast, which narrates his experiences from growing up in Colombia to studying at Miami-Dade College in the U.S., also delves into his journey with a rare mental health condition.
Introducing himself, Vargas Arango states, “I am not dangerous. I’m not crazy and I’m not delusional. I’m just one more guy with a mental health condition living with it.” His podcast, titled The Monsters We Create, uses personal narratives, interviews, and creative audio effects to illustrate life with schizoaffective disorder. This condition is characterized by symptoms of both schizophrenia, such as hallucinations or delusions, and mood disorders like depression, affecting roughly 3 in 1,000 people.
A Message that Resonates
The judges found Vargas Arango’s story deeply emotional and awarded him the $5,000 grand prize scholarship, naming him the college champion. His follow-up podcast, The Monsters We Saved, explores the impact of his story worldwide. Listeners, including those with similar mental health battles, have expressed feelings of validation and connection after hearing his story.
Parents reached out for advice on supporting their children with schizoaffective disorder, and requests poured in for translations of his podcast to extend its reach beyond English-speaking audiences. One notable listener was Stefano, a teenager from Medellin, Colombia, who shared his own experiences with schizoaffective disorder.
“I felt like I was talking to myself in an earlier stage of my journey,” Vargas Arango shares in his podcast. “Having the opportunity to guide someone else on their own journey was just priceless. I felt so happy, so fulfilled and not scared anymore.”
Personal Loss and Professional Gains
Despite his achievements, Vargas Arango faced personal challenges, including the loss of his grandmother in Colombia. Unable to attend her funeral, he questions the sacrifices made in pursuit of his dreams. “I felt lost since I came to this country wondering if sacrificing the time I could spend with my family in Colombia to pursue an uncertain dream in the U.S. was worth it,” he reflects. “I ask myself every morning, is this what I am supposed to be doing?”
Through The Monsters We Create, Vargas Arango found purpose and fulfillment. Having graduated from Miami Dade College, he is set to study journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “I might have not seen my grandma again,” he says. “But I will make her proud no matter what happens.”
