In the narrow, winding alleys of La Chacarita – one of Asunción’s oldest and most disadvantaged neighbourhoods, the path to success is often obscured by the shadows of financial hardship and systemic neglect. Yet, for 18-year-old Fabrizio Peralta, those shadows served as the backdrop for a remarkable ascent that has now landed him a seat at one of the world’s most prestigious institutions: Columbia University. Fabrizio is going to study at Columbia starting in September 2026.
Fabrizio’s story is not merely one of academic brilliance, but of profound resilience. Growing up in an environment where crime and insecurity are daily realities, the “structural barriers” were high. However, with a combination of grit and the unwavering support of his family, he has transformed his reality from a struggle for resources into a global success story.
Defying the odds
For Fabrizio Peralta, the journey to the Ivy League began with letters – countless appeals for scholarships sent by his parents to various institutions. The financial limitations of a low-income household meant that quality education was never a guarantee. It was a prize to be fought for.
“Growing up in La Chacarita is a difficult task for every person,” Fabrizio reflects. “The low household income affected the amount of money we could spend for education… Personally, it was challenging due to the lack of opportunities and financial limitations my family faced.”
Despite the constant exposure to violence and vandalism in his neighbourhood, Fabrizio remained focused. He honed his English at the Colegio Estado de Israel from the age of four. Learning English would eventually become his passport to the international stage.
A global recognition: the Global Student Prize
Fabrizio’s acceptance into Columbia’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science is a watershed moment. However, his impact was felt globally even before he set foot in New York. As a finalist for the Global Student Prize 2025, he was selected from thousands of applicants worldwide. This prize, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for students.” The prize recognises those who have made a significant impact on their peers and society.
For Fabrizio Peralta, meeting the criteria meant demonstrating not just academic excellence, but a commitment to social change. The selection committee noted his ability to overcome significant adversity while maintaining a high level of community engagement.
“Being a finalist has expanded both my confidence and my responsibility,” Fabrizio explains. “It showed me that a student can be recognised on the global stage no matter where they come from. It pushed me to think bigger about how I can contribute to my country through innovation and engineering.”
The power of the “interdisciplinary mindset”
For Fabrizio Peralta, the choice of Columbia University was not merely about prestige; it was about the institution’s specific philosophy. Within the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, Fabrizio will join the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) department.
The curriculum he faces is famously rigorous, involving a deep dive into the “Columbia Core.” This means that while he masters electrical variables, circuit laws, and hardware architecture, he will also be required to engage with literature, philosophy, and history. This “interdisciplinary” approach is exactly what drew him to the university.
“I always considered myself an interdisciplinary student,” Fabrizio says. “I chose Columbia because it is the perfect place for me to blend technical and non-technical knowledge. and I plan to use that mindset to find comprehensive solutions to the problems I encounter in life.”
A new narrative for La Chacarita
Historically, La Chacarita has been defined in the media by its struggles – poverty, crime, and a lack of infrastructure. Fabrizio Peralta is consciously working to flip that script. His journey from a neighbourhood heavily affected by crimes to the halls of a world-class research university is a powerful act of reclamation.
By refusing to be a “bystander” to his environment, Fabrizio has become a beacon for the youth of Asunción. He acknowledges that the “culture shock” of New York will be significant. However, he views the rigour of an Ivy League education as a refining fire.
“I know I will have many days in which I will even have to work harder than many other students,” he says with characteristic humility. “But the fact I am pursuing a dream and that I hold a responsibility that is even greater than myself is what will keep me motivated for the following four years.”
Fabrizio Peralta is building a future for Paraguay
While his immediate future lies in the skyscrapers of Manhattan, Fabrizio’s heart remains firmly rooted in South America. His ultimate goal is to return to Paraguay to modernise the nation’s electrical and electronic infrastructure. Furthermore, he aims to open doors for the next generation of STEM students. For those young Paraguayans who look at the Ivy League and see an impossible dream, Fabrizio Peralta offers words of hard-earned wisdom:
“Successful people have fear, successful people have doubts… They just do not let these feelings stop them. Do not wait to feel ‘ready,’ do not compare your starting point to someone else’s, and do not let your environment convince you that your dreams are unrealistic.”
As he prepares to swap Paraguayan traditions for the rigorous academic life of an Ivy Leaguer, Fabrizio carries with him the hopes of a neighbourhood and a nation. His journey serves as a powerful reminder that where you start does not have to dictate where you finish.
What Fabrizio Peralta will miss from Paraguay?
As Fabrizio Peralta is leaving soon for the United States, The Asunción Times asked him what he would miss the most from Paraguay.
“I will miss a lot of Paraguayan traditions, mannerisms and the fact that all my people are here will always be part of my inner thoughts. The fact I am pursuing a dream and that I hold a responsibility that is even greater than myself is what will keep me motivated for the following 4 years.”
