David Oyanadel

My story

I was born in Chile, a country of great natural beauty, world-renowned vineyards, and ideal weather thanks to its location bordering the South Pacific Ocean.

My father, an inspector general simply trying to do the job he had been hired to do, soon became the target of surveillance by sinister-seeming figures in unmarked vehicles. When he began receiving serious death threats, my family was forced to flee our home and the city we loved.

We eventually settled in the U.S., where I was able to pursue my interest in science and technology, and after almost two decades in higher education, in 2016 I co-founded ARSOME, an Augmented Reality company that uses storytelling as a tool to engage learners in an immersive world.

Several years ago, I met Terry D. Williams, who expressed his love for writing and Latino culture to me. As I shared my experiences with him, we became close friends, and we recently decided to co-author a novel, "Escape from Rancagua," inspired by my family’s struggles.

Despite the turmoil of my formative years in Chile, I continue to believe in people’s inherent goodness and the possibilities of a just society—as well as in the transformative power of stories.