6 months in US

When I first moved to the United States, I was overwhelmed by the diversity in the region. I was born and raised in Melipilla, Chile.A very small rural city one hour from Santiago, Chile. The reason why I moved to the US was really unknown to me at first. Being the youngest of six, my family was always worried for me and my education. My father had moved to the US about one year ago to one of my sister's home, yet the reason to me was unknown. 

Moving to the United States was an adventure. I was told I was about to live an unforgettable experience.  However, at the end it was my decision to stay in the US or not. We traveled December 31^st of 2001. Would you believe the excitement I had flying for the second time in my life, yet this time was to North America. On top of that, we were celebrating New Year’s flying over Brazil. For a minute, I could see lights flashing in the air… Fireworks!

Arriving to VA was interesting. The people living in the area seemed very AMERICAN.  No buses, no taxis, no loud noises, no people walking around, no dogs, no trash. This place was completely different to what I was used to in Chile.  I started school the Monday after my arrival; immediately the guidance counselor at the middle school tested me to determine an English level (I scored a 1, of course). I was put in a classroom with A, B, C’s, animal prints, and numbers all over the wall. Most of my classmates spoke fluent Spanish, most of them from  El Salvador, Honduras, Peru, and Bolivia. Believe It or not I was the second Chilean in the school. To be honest, I was overwhelmed by the diversity in cultures in the area. I was intrigued to learn new cultures and beliefs. There was only one thing holding me back... the fact that my mother could not move to the US due to her job. I lived with my father, my sister and brother in law, and my two nephews. Even though I was enjoying school, and the attractions in VA. I was also missing the rest of my family in Chile, especially my mom. After six months, I decided to go back to Chile. 

Today my friends still ask why I decided to go back to Chile, when I was later going to move permanently to US. The only answer is that "If I didn't experience living in both places, I would have never made the most important decision in my life."

-- To be continued.. 

" Dream big, and believe you can achieve"--

A DACA Dreamer.