Harare to Denver: A journey of courage, community and purpose
After 30 hours and 9,000 miles of travel, not a single familiar face greeted Tendai Gorejena upon her arrival at Denver International Airport in September 2024. Still, the warmth of Colorado’s sunshine and Daniels’ welcoming arms gave the Harare, Zimbabwe native all the reassurance she needed to confidently start her Master of Science in Accounting, Technology and Analytics (MSATA).
“I traveled from Zimbabwe all the way here by myself, not knowing anyone else,” Gorejena recalled. “But I was excited because I was looking forward to starting a new life in Denver and improving myself personally and professionally.”
Gorejena spent her entire life in Zimbabwe before moving to Colorado. She completed her bachelor’s degree in accounting at highly ranked Zimbabwe Open University. Later, she earned a master’s degree in forensic auditing and accounting from Midlands State University in Gweru, Zimbabwe’s third-largest city.
Alongside her studies, Gorejena worked for seven years in various accounting positions. In one of her roles, she worked remotely as an accounts payable analyst for a U.S. company, hinting at her pursuit of a global career.
After several years in traditional accounting, however, Gorejena sensed that the field was changing.
“I realized that accounting is evolving and there is a shift toward more data analytics and technology,” she said. “I wanted to stay competitive professionally and expand my skills, so I started looking for a program that combines accounting with the tools that are shaping the future of the profession.”
That search led Gorejena to the Daniels College of Business and its business analytics graduate program. She was also accepted into another program, but Daniels checked all her boxes.
“It was the nature, the environment, the weather, the people and the job market,” Gorejena explained. Even more, Daniels offered her a graduate assistantship and scholarship support before she ever set foot on campus.
Gorejena says the support she received since her arrival has surpassed her expectations. Coming from Zimbabwe, where university resources are more limited, she was impressed by the level of investment in student success.
“I have felt very strong support since my arrival,” she said, pointing to the career fairs, employer networking events, the food pantry and accessibility of professors, which she wasn’t used to at home.
Gorejena’s involvement on campus further deepened her sense of belonging. She works as a graduate assistant in the Department of Management and serves as the director of finance for the Graduate Student Government. Gorejena also became active in Daniels Beyond Borders, where she discovered a small but growing Zimbabwean community.
“I actually thought I was the only Zimbabwean here,” she chuckled. Now she knows at least six others, some of whom she helped guide through the Daniels application process.
Gorejena’s academic journey quickly led to professional success. Just two months after starting classes, she secured a summer internship with EY, formerly Ernst & Young, the multinational professional services firm.
The internship went so well that she received a full-time job offer. She will start as a technology risk staff member at EY’s Denver office after graduating in summer 2026.
“It was all very exciting for me because I always wanted to work for a Big Four firm,” Gorejena said. She is already studying for the CPA exam and feels her career is “on the way up the ladder.”
For international students considering a similar path, Gorejena’s advice is both practical and heartfelt.
“Keep your eyes on the ball, you’re here to learn,” she said. “But stay open-minded, get involved and resist the urge to isolate yourself. Connect with local people, understand their cultures and participate in activities.”
Most importantly, she urges students to embrace the experience fully.
“If you connect with people, you feel involved,” she said. “If you open your mind, things will work out for you.”
Gorejena’s journey from Zimbabwe to Denver started with uncertainty, but it has become a story of resilience, community and opportunity—just the life she envisioned when she stepped off her plane.