Ruth

Ruth is a passionate and dedicated student at the Universidad Pompeu Fabra, a public university in Barcelona, Spain. Born into a Christian family, her upbringing revolved around church activities, with weekends reserved for Young Life and church services. As a kid, she engaged in various sports, finding particular joy in playing and singing, and eventually leading worship at her church.

High school brought new challenges for Ruth as she struggled with shyness and insecurity, but patience and perseverance helped her overcome these obstacles and make meaningful friendships. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, she faced a new set of struggles, coping with stress through excessive exercise, which led to an unhealthy lifestyle. Nevertheless, she recognized the negative impact this had on her well-being and took the initiative to regain control, embracing a healthier way of living. As she entered her final years of school, Ruth learned valuable lessons in time management and emotional regulation, honing skills that would be crucial in her future.

Now, as a Developing Global Leader, Ruth is pursuing a degree in physical education. "I want to use sports to get closer to the teenagers in my city as it is something I love doing and also is a well-connected way to reach teens that Young Life uses here. After making that first contact through sports, talking about Jesus and getting their attention is much easier." Ruth will be the first in her family to graduate from university.