Moving to the states wasn't the easiest thing. From starting over and learning a new language. My family moved to the USA for better opportunities (but that's a whole different story for a different day). I was foreign to this state... different people, different places, and above all... a completely different language. However, I didn't let that stop me from spreading my wings.
My first year in the USA, I was five and the perfect age for kindergarten just like the average kid. Except I wasn't the average kid, I was a kid who was foreign and did not even know the basic words of the English language. Starting kindergarten was easier than I thought... I don't have any memories of me being frustrated because I couldn't communicate with other right away. As a matter of fact, the memories I do have are good ones... playing with friends, recess, enjoying the school lunch and everything else just like everyone else.
When we came to the USA we didn't have an apartment or a house of our own. My uncle let us live with him until we got our things straight and we were stable enough to finally have an apartment of our own. I vividly remember finally being able to move into our first apartment! You know the phrase "started from the bottom..." well that's exactly what this was. We moved in and clearly we didn't have all the furniture a regular family would, we didn't even have chairs.
Along with the help of the friends that my parents made and some family, they helped us get oriented and not be so lost.
I like to thank God that I was blessed with such amazing parents. Being 19 has made me open my eyes more and realize that my parents do everything for my brother and I. Clearly moving to a completely different state isn't a decision that is made over night. I know that my parents had to sacrifice a lot in order to be able to provide the building blocks for a better future for my brother and I. For that I am forever grateful.
Moving to the USA has already impacted my life like you can't even imagine. Now that I am an adult (even though I sometimes don't feel like one) I have learned to value a lot of things. I have learned that in order to achieve a goal, you have to work hard for it. It's not something that will happen over night, you can't just wish and wish without involving some kind of action and then expect the result that you want.
A great benefit has quite obviously been learning a new language! Just by knowing another language that already puts me in a greater position out there in the real world. For example, a job. Being able to communicate with people who don't just speak Spanish or who don't just speak English is a great benefactor.
The US has provided me with so many opportunities, not only is it a great place for jobs or maybe even schools... but I have met some pretty amazing people being here. These people have helped shape me into the person I am today and have helped me through so much. From kindergarten to currently my second year of college with out the people that I've met, I wouldn't be the same person I am today.
Moving here has not made me forget where I came from. I think it is very important to know where you came from and where you started in order to succeed. I will forever love mi Mexico.
