In the deep streets of the suburbs of São Paulo, Brazil, children played outside their gated houses. It was the place where streets became castles, flip-flops turned into soccer goals, bruised knees were a show-off and imagination was limitless. Their favorite game was pretending; in an instant, they could become anything they’ve ever wanted: princess, fireman, doctor, American.

That was part of my reality as a Brazilian child.

A childhood at the middle 2000s of a fortunate family in Brazil was not as different from an American as one would think, perhaps it included more Brigadeiro and less Willy Wonka candies. Growing up watching Harry Potter movies, listening to Hannah Montana and having a crush on Troy Bolton were all part of it. Many Brazilian children have been having access to the magical Western and American culture nowadays, yet for most of them, this is a far away dream from the far far away land.

When young, my friends and I loved playing the “foreigner” game. Although we had no prior knowledge of the language, we would gather together and mumble sounds to pretend we were “speaking” English at our own terms. We wanted to become cheerleaders, date the football players and go to prom, we learned that ideally attractive people had blonde hair and blue eyes, wore Hollister and were probably named Zac. Yet, none of these were to be found anywhere near our reality.

During the "High School Musical" era, my 10-year-old self knew she wanted to study in the United States and fulfill her dream of living the great life. I grew up knowing I wanted to leave, I liked home but I loved the world the most. Seven years later, I said goodbye to my family and left for my American dream.

Living abroad changed me. It opened my eyes to the reality of the world, and that there’s no such as thing as the Hollywood fantasy of a life I’ve had as a kid. It taught me that struggles don’t run away, even if you do, and that obstacles are to be found no matter where you are.

Many aspects of my reality lived in Brazil can be found in any place I have lived. Hard working people living humble lives, students struggling to pay for their education and parents giving up their life dreams for their children are not a one country’s issue.

Being away taught me how to love home.