I often wondered if I would ever be at peace. I came to this country with many hopes. When I arrived here I came with goals. I remember saying, “What if I go and something happens to me?” Once I got to school and met friends, (this was the best thing that happened to me), I finally found peace. I entered school as a senior. I have the best teachers, the best friends, and the best boyfriend, but you will believe that having all that, I am not complete. Coming here meant that I had to leave my grandmother behind. I left my life after 16 years to have a new life. I had to leave my pet, but after 5 months of living here, I was able to bring it with me. Sometimes I feel like I'm alone but I think it's better to be alone than in bad company. I almost left school and I really don't know what I want to do with my life. I just think about working and that's it, but I want to be a professional so that my mother is proud of me.

Knowing that what I asked for from God came true, knowing that it was like
a gift that I did not ask for, in the end, became special and the best thing that could have happened to me. Here, I have more opportunities, a better
mentality and a clear purpose of what I want because my country did not
have the same opportunities. There is not much help to get ahead like there
is in America. Knowing that here I will be able to fulfill my dream of being
a professional to help many people made me happy. When you have to live
poor or in the middle of city wars, people can’t do much to help you. Then,
when you finally reach a country where everything you wanted is available,
you realize just how much is available to you. The best studies with the best
teachers, a good education, and a lot of help exists in America. Sometimes,
I feel judged. But I see that it is just because so many people here want you
to do well. I just wanted to get ahead but I knew that in my country I was not
going to achieve much because I needed a change. I don't regret anything
or the opportunity to be here being able to be a better person and a better
human being.

Five months after my separation from my former partner, I came to live in
this country with my soul in pieces, thinking that if I walked away from him
I would lose him. 4 months later I understood that it was the best thing to do
when I saw myself in the mirror. Lying alone in a room, I said “This is what I
wanted” (to be alone, away from school, gossip, people who didn't join me,
etc...) but I still didn't believe that what I asked was going to be given to me
because so much was happening and knowing that the country I was in was
different, I was terrified of it. I soon became accustomed to everything and
it became “MY SAFE PLACE” where I felt protected. This is the American
dream that we all came seeking. The American dream we all came to build.
In the future, I want to live in my country again, but I do not complain about
the life I have because despite all this, it is what I asked for.

© Paola . 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.