Oprah's Top 20 Moments

Coming to America (2001)

After an Ethiopian boy named Mawi Asgedom and his family escaped from their war-torn country of Ethiopia, they trekked through the brutal deserts of Africa, then spent years in a refugee camp. They arrived in the United States with absolutely no money. Yet the parents had a dream for their son: Mawi's parents told him that school was the way to do well in this country. So he dedicated himself to his studies and won a scholarship to Harvard University. After I heard Mawi's story on the show, I wouldn't tolerate "can't" from anyone. I'd say, "Mawi walked across the desert. What do you mean it can't be done?" Anything is possible for those willing to make the sacrifice.