Today we’d like to introduce you to Adlyz Caliman
Adlyz, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born on May 19, 1976, in Maracaibo, Venezuela, a place filled with vibrant culture and endless inspiration. From a young age, I was passionate about learning and growth, which led me to pursue multiple academic paths. I graduated in Business Administration in 1996 and earned my Law degree in 1998. My love for education didn’t stop there; I later completed an MBA in Industrial Planning, a Master’s in Andragogy Education, and a Ph.D. in Human Sciences. Education has always been my way of making sense of the world and contributing to it meaningfully.
In Venezuela, I held several significant roles, including Vice-Rector at a Private University. There, I supervised and coordinated academic, research, and financial operations, and I had the privilege of designing innovative curriculum frameworks. My doctoral thesis focused on creating an Integral Management System for the education of young people with high intellectual capacities, a project that has impacted thousands of students in my region and beyond. However, the escalating political and economic instability in my country forced me to leave everything behind in 2020 and start over in the United States.
Rebuilding my life in the U.S. was both challenging and transformative. Leveraging my Law degree, I began working as a paralegal, obtaining certifications to strengthen my expertise in the field. This experience not only allowed me to build a new career but also gave me the tools to process my own EB1 visa, ultimately securing my U.S. residency. Currently, I am completing an LLM (Master of Laws), which will qualify me to sit for the Bar exam and pursue a career as an immigration attorney. This milestone represents not just a continuation of my legal journey but also a way to help others who face the same challenges I once did.
Beyond law, I have continued my academic and literary pursuits. From a young age, I felt a deep connection to the world of literature, spending countless hours writing stories and tales, some of which were published in school magazines. Later, I had the opportunity to contribute to the digital magazine @thewynwoodtimes, where I wrote the column “Recuerdos en altavoz” (Memories Out Loud), sharing reflections and narratives that resonated with readers.
Currently, I am honored to be a published author in the Latin Literature Magazine Palabritas from Harvard University with my micro-essay, “Diario de un virus” (Diary of a Virus). I am also proud to have my book “Cuando el tiempo se detuvo” (When Time Stood Still) published by Caligrama. The book received the publisher’s prestigious “Talent Seal” and was selected by the Casa de España in Dallas for its Book Club in September 2024, an achievement that fills me with gratitude and pride. My second historical fiction book titled “La Cacica” (The Chief), is in editorial process currently.
In addition to my fiction, I have written two practical writing guides for novice authors, which are available on my website, www.adlyzcaliman.com. Over the years, I have participated in several literary fairs and congresses, including the Miami Book Fair 2024, the Fort Lauderdale Book Fair 2025, and the Tertulia Latino Authors Presentation at the North Miami Public Library in 2024. These experiences have allowed me to share my passion for storytelling, connect with readers, and contribute to the vibrant literary community in Miami and beyond.
While my journey has been marked by obstacles, it is also a testament to perseverance and the transformative power of knowledge. My experiences have allowed me to grow as an educator, a legal professional, and a storyteller. As I look ahead, I am excited to continue empowering others through education, law, and literature, contributing to the communities that have welcomed me and inspiring those who face their own challenges to persevere and thrive.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey to where I am today has been marked by its fair share of struggles, moments that tested my resilience and shaped the person I’ve become. Growing up and building my career in Venezuela, I was deeply affected by the country’s worsening political and economic situation. The instability forced me to make difficult choices, including leaving everything behind in 2020 to start over in the United States. Uprooting my life was not just a physical transition but an emotional one. It meant saying goodbye to my homeland, my career as an academic leader, and the stability I had worked so hard to achieve.
On a personal level, I also went through the pain of a divorce during this period of upheaval. It was a challenging time of introspection, healing, and finding the strength to rebuild not only my career but my life. Balancing these emotional challenges while adapting to a new country, culture, and personal and professional landscape was overwhelming at times, but it also pushed me to grow in ways I never anticipated.
At the same time, came the COVID-19 pandemic, adding another layer of difficulty to an already tumultuous journey. Like so many others, I faced uncertainty, isolation, and the need to navigate a world that seemed to change overnight. Yet, these struggles also fueled my creativity. During the pandemic, I wrote Diario de un virus (Diary of a Virus), the micro-essay published in Harvard University’s Palabritas magazine, which captured the collective anxiety and resilience of those times. Writing became not just an outlet but a lifeline, helping me process my experiences and connect with others through shared stories.
These challenges, though painful, have become an integral part of my story. They taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of holding onto hope, even in the darkest times. They also deepened my commitment to my work, both as a writer and as a professional, driving me to create meaningful contributions in literature and education despite the obstacles I faced.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work is a reflection of my perseverance, commitment, and passion for excellence in everything I do. As a writer and academic professional, I specialize in creating meaningful contributions in the fields of literature and education. My literary work often explores themes of human resilience, as seen in my book “Cuando el tiempo se detuvo” (When Time Stood Still), and also in my newest book still in edition, “La Cacica” (The Chief). In academia, I focus on curriculum development and educational innovation, particularly for gifted students, helping them reach their full potential through personalized educational strategies.
What I am most proud of is my ability to overcome challenges and turn them into opportunities for growth and impact. Whether it was navigating the instability in Venezuela, rebuilding my life from scratch in the United States, or adapting to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve always approached every obstacle with perseverance and a thirst for knowledge. I view every challenge as a chance to learn and grow, and that commitment drives me to continuously strive for excellence.
What sets me apart from others is my unwavering attention to detail and precision in everything I do, combined with a deep creativity that fuels my work. Whether I’m writing , or designing a curriculum that transforms the educational experience , or helping another immigrant to stay legally in the United States, I bring a unique blend of professionalism and creativity to every project. My thirst for knowledge keeps me constantly learning and evolving, ensuring that I can adapt to any challenge and produce work of the highest quality. Ultimately, it is this commitment to excellence and innovation that defines who I am and the work I create.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk-taking, for me, is about embracing uncertainty with faith in your ability to adapt and grow. I wouldn’t consider myself a reckless risk-taker, but I do believe that some risks are essential for personal and professional growth. One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was leaving Venezuela in 2020, a decision that completely changed the trajectory of my life.
The move to the United States was not just a logistical challenge—it was an emotional leap of faith. I had to rebuild my life from scratch, with no guarantees of success. I leveraged my skills as a lawyer and transitioned into working as a paralegal, obtaining certifications and eventually my attorney license, once I finished my ongoing LLM (Master’s in Law). The risk of leaving behind a stable, albeit difficult, environment was daunting, but it was a necessary step to provide myself and my family with a better future.
For me, risk-taking is not about fearlessness but about the courage to act despite fear. It requires a deep commitment to your goals and the resilience to navigate uncertainty. While risks don’t always guarantee immediate rewards, they often lead to transformative opportunities, as they did for me. Taking that leap taught me that growth comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone and trusting in your ability to create a new path, no matter how challenging the journey may seem.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.adlyzcaliman.com/
- Instagram: @lapagnblanco
- LinkedIn: @adlyz
- Other: adlyzcaliman@gmail.com
