Gerardo Rios Garcia
- Columbia graduate student Gerardo Rios Garcia lives in a van for financial security and adventure.
- He drove his van from Mexico to NYC and sleeps in it while balancing school and multiple jobs.
- Although he says it's challenging and can be scary, he saves $2,000 a month and doesn't have loans.
I'm a 26-year-old graduate student at Columbia University and an intern at the United Nations who lives in a vintage Volkswagen van in Manhattan. I made this choice driven by a goal for future financial security and a thirst for adventure.