For a long time when I was a child, I always wanted to be here in America. I told myself, "Hey, the United States is a beautiful place to study”, and I knew that someday, I would make it here. I always watched American movies and saw that the schools were big and the classes were very beautiful with shining white boards, desks, lockers and things like that. I always wanted to come to this country. Since I was little I always wanted to have a graduation and prom like school has here. In my country, we do something similar, but it's not the same. I always told myself, “I hope that one day my dream of studying in America and having a graduation like that and being a man comes true”. I imagined myself in a formal suit and dancing with someone. That's why it's important to me this year that I'm writing this because it's one of my most cherished dreams, something that I've always wanted, and I'm looking forward to all of the things that come during a senior year of high school in America.

In this country, the United States of America is too different from mine, not
Fulfilling One of My Dreams only because of the language, but also the cultures, friends, and customs. The changes are here and are modern things I’m still getting used to. For me, it’s something nice, but I always remember the things from my country. I always remember my friends, the first classes I had in my country, the friends with whom I played soccer; they made me happy. We always had good times when we played soccer and even though in my country things are simpler, there are always good friendships that make us happy. At the same time, I had my dreams of coming to this country. Sometimes I miss
my friends, but I remember that they also motivated me to come. I did not
want to come and before coming, we were together for the last time, and we
said goodbye. They knew that one of my big dreams was to study here and
graduate like they do in this country.

One of the things I like about this country is the opportunities they give us.
For example, here I already applied for a university, which in my country
would have been very difficult for me. It also offers job opportunities; there
are many things that one can do in this country. Everything will depend on
the time one has and how we can organize ourselves to do our best. I am
happy here because I am fulfilling one of my dreams. I am sure that here I
will be able to achieve it. I am doing the things I wanted and I also found
some new ones, too. I have found friends who have similar dreams, and we
support each other to move forward. Though we have the things we long
for and miss from our country, we know that something positive is here for
us and a great future awaits us. I hope that the people who read this see
the positive things about being here. I know that sometimes we miss our
roots, and even more so the relatives we left behind, but we have to take
advantage of the fact that we are here and we can build a better future not
only for ourselves but also for our families. Take advantage of the fact that
you are here and fulfill your goals, because in this place many dreams can
be fulfilled. Everything has its own time, don't rush and take things slowly.

© Alejandro. All rights reserved. If you are interested in quoting this story, contact the national team and we can put you in touch with the author’s teacher.