4th Friday – October 24, 2025 – Guatemala

The Valparaiso International Center’s October Fourth Friday Speaker Series — an evening of stories, travel, and cultural reflection with Pedro Portillo, whose life beautifully bridges the experiences of Guatemala and the United States.

Born in Chicago to his mother, Dolores Portillo — who immigrated from Guatemala — Pedro’s life has been shaped by both American and Guatemalan cultures. Though raised in the United States, he spent much of his childhood in Guatemala City, where he still has family and deep roots. His travels there have taken him to breathtaking places such as Tikal, Lake Atitlán, San Lucas, and Antigua, each rich in history and beauty.

After a long pause in his travels following the Great Recession, Pedro recently returned to Guatemala and rediscovered his mother’s homeland with new appreciation — an experience that deepened his understanding of identity, family, and belonging.

Pedro holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Loyola University Chicago and currently works with the Social Security Administration. Beyond his professional life, he has visited 14 countries and numerous U.S. cities — from Seattle to Philadelphia, New York to New Orleans. He also runs a YouTube channel, ThinksTooMuch, where he explores immigrant communities around the United States, highlighting stories of resilience and connection.