Immigration Is Beautiful: A Conversation with TEDxCU Speaker Rodrigo Salgado Vallarino
When Rodrigo Salgado Vallarino (IAFS & ECON '27) stepped onto the TEDxCU stage, he wasn’t just delivering a speech—he was sharing a story that needed to be heard. As a first-generation college student and immigrant, Rodrigo used the 2025 Student Voices Competition and the TEDXCU event as a platform to speak on the beauty of immigration and the urgency of understanding in today’s world.
In this interview, Rodrigo reflects on the journey that led him to TEDxCU, the inspiration behind his message, and how storytelling can foster connection, courage, and change.
What inspired you to apply for the 2025 Student Voices Competition, and what was the process as a TEDxCU speaker like?
There were several different aspects that inspired me to apply for the 2025 Student Voices Competition. My girlfriend encouraged me to apply initially because she knows about my passion for public speaking and that is how I was initially introduced to this opportunity. After this, I was inspired to apply for the 2025 Student Voices Competition because of the political climate in the United States. At that point in time, the 2024 election was coming up and there was a sense of stress and urgency over many issues, immigration being one of them. Knowing the importance of immigration and how it was being portrayed in the media, I thought it was important to share my story and my perspective on immigration.
The process as a TEDxCU speaker was incredible from the very beginning. After applying for the 2025 Student Voices Competition and being accepted as one of the 10 contestants, I started the process of drafting my original speech. The Student Voices Competition was an event where the 10 undergraduate students competed against each other with their respective speeches for a spot on the official TEDx Event later in the year. I drafted my original speech, presented it at the competition, and won the Student Voices Competition. After being selected as one of the nine official speakers, I worked closely with my coach, the winner of the 2024 Student Voices Competition, to update my speech, polish my message, and overall get ready for the event. Throughout my preparation, I had the opportunity to attend special events with the other speakers where we shared ideas and our speeches to give feedback. Finally, the TEDxCU team organized the entire event, and I gave my TED Talk on April 5th.
What was your favorite moment during TEDxCU?
It is really hard to pick one specific moment from this life-changing experience. I had some incredible moments with my coach, and now friend, Kate Nam. She is a student at CU at the Leeds School of Business. We would meet multiple times throughout the months leading up to the event practicing the speech, brainstorming, talking about international affairs, and developing a friendship. My coach taught me the importance of sharing my story with others and the power my voice can have on someone else’s mind. She also taught me the importance of taking a step back, taking a break, and giving myself some grace for speaking on such a heavy and important topic.
I have two favorite moments. First, the moment I finished my final script, I went over it with Kate. I could see my effort, tears, and sweat in a 9-page manuscript. It has taken me months to complete this manuscript and to develop the idea embedded in all of those words. Looking at the manuscript and knowing I had the opportunity to share it with the world was one of my favorite moments. My second favorite moment was at the stage of the event. Standing in front of a little over one thousand people, and sharing my story, gave me a new perspective on the importance of sharing our stories with others. I also really enjoyed a moment when I asked for some audience engagement, and the audience engaged with my speech.
Can you share a bit about your own journey with immigration and how it has shaped your perspective?
My journey with immigration and being a first-generation college student have shaped my perspective in many more ways than I can count. It has taught me many valuable lessons that I carry with me and apply on a daily basis.
Being an immigrant at a higher education institution such as CU Boulder has definitely changed my perspective on how I approach certain topics, lessons, and global events. As someone who has lived in two very distinct countries, I usually pay attention to the other side of the coin that is often left out. It has given me a wider perspective on the world and has made me realize that the real world is way more complicated than a textbook makes it seem. As an immigrant, I have also developed the ability to be open to new experiences, cultures, and points of view. The ability to understand and accept has an immense amount of power that often leads to innovation and development.
What is something discussed in your talk you wish everyone at CU could hear?
Something I discussed in my talk I wish everyone in CU, the country, and the world could hear is that immigration is beautiful. This message is really rare in the world today; however, I believe it is of extreme importance. Immigration has been the building block of societies across the entire world. Throughout my speech, I explained how immigration has shaped this country and the entire world. But I would encourage all students to stop making assumptions about immigrants and instead be open to all the incredible perspectives they bring along. Immigration is beautiful and I would encourage everyone to stop listening to the negative message the media is sharing and instead be open to new ideas and perspectives that immigrants bring with them.
How do you think universities and communities can better support immigrants and help them feel a sense of belonging?
Universities and communities can better support immigrants by having open conversations on the impact of diversity. Many colleges highlight the importance of diversity but don’t highlight the impact of diversity as much. Immigrants have visible and real impacts anywhere they are standing. More conversations and openness can better support immigrants and help them feel a sense of belonging. Another way in which universities and communities can support immigrants is by providing them with tools and resources to adapt and engage in a foreign country to their own. Adapting to a new country and being in a completely different environment can be challenging and frustrating at times. Having a university that provides us with resources to make this transition easier creates a sense of community and connection, which helps us be comfortable and develop successfully in this new environment. Also, it is important to create and promote a club or organization of immigrants to have an open discussion on anything and everything, current events, resources and tools, events, student life, community building, etc. I have been working with some other students on establishing a group like this on campus to create an even stronger community within CU.
What’s next for you? Do you plan to continue sharing your message in other ways?
What is next for me? I am a first-year student at CU looking to graduate with my bachelor's degree in Economics and International Affairs in May of 2027.
Once done, I will pursue graduate school and maybe law school in the future. I do not know where I will attend graduate school or law school yet. I do plan to continue sharing my message in other ways. I know I want to continue sharing this incredible message with the world. This might take the form of a club inside of CU, or joining an NGO or organization dedicated to protecting and promoting immigration.
If you could give one piece of advice to other students who want to share their stories, what would it be?
If I could give one piece of advice it would be to be yourself and don’t be afraid to showcase that to the rest of the world. Each one of us is a unique individual with many perspectives, ideas, and viewpoints that are valuable and shape who we are. To share your story effectively, you first have to accept yourself and be yourself. It can be hard to share this self with others , but it is liberating and impactful to be yourself. You don’t need to be on stage, write an article, or write a book. You can share your stories by being yourself, and by having the courage to tell them to others.
Thank you, Rodrigo, for sharing your story. We are incredibly proud to have you as a part of the IAFS community!