Leaving my home country, the Philippines, at 13 years old was a mix of excitement and anxiety. Packing my things, I felt a range of emotions as I wondered what awaited me in this diverse place. It felt like beginning anew and embarking on an exciting adventure. Arriving at the airport at night, the rain matched the tearful goodbyes often depicted in movies.
Upon saying farewell to my family, I affectionately embraced each and every member, fully cognizant of the fact that I would deeply long for their presence. Once I arrived in the United States, it felt as though I had been cast into a tumultuous river without any knowledge of swimming techniques. I faced various challenges in attempting to stay afloat, desperately gasping for air and fiercely battling against succumbing to the depths. Nevertheless, over time, I acquired proficiency and wisdom, preventing myself from relinquishing hope. Consequently, my comprehension of life expanded considerably. In the Philippines, my perspective revolved around relishing carefree moments spent with friends.
However, my life took a significant change when I relocated here. The experience fueled my determination to accomplish my goals and chase after my dreams. Moving to this country was crucial for my personal growth and development, shaping me into a more resilient person. At first, I faced multiple challenges and difficulties that required me to adjust to the unfamiliar surroundings, such as attending school, making friends, overcoming shyness, and notably learning a new language. It all started in seventh grade when I started attending school in this foreign land.
Upon entering the classroom filled with diverse students, I experienced a sense of unease. Apprehension arose concerning their potential judgments based on my appearance and speech patterns. Nevertheless, I swiftly adjusted to the academic requirements as my previous education in my home country surpassed that of the United States. Despite finding the schoolwork relatively effortless, I sustained an unwavering drive to acquire knowledge and diligently undertook additional studying, extensive reading, and completion of homework outside of regular class hours.
My education was my main focus, which paid off with honor roll recognition at the end of each quarter. In the past, I had a negative outlook on life and constantly belittled myself, hindering my ability to succeed or have ambitions. Making friends always caused anxiety as I feared being ignored or mistreated. However, this fear proved to be baseless as I had one loyal friend in my country. Due to frequent bullying or isolation from other classmates, I was afraid to form new friendships.
While in America, I had the pleasure of meeting classmates who were not only friendly and compassionate but also made it easy for me to form friendships. What really impressed them was my basketball skills and athleticism, which became a common ground for us to bond over. However, learning a new language proved to be quite challenging, making me cautious about my speech. Whenever I made conversational mistakes, others would tease me about my accent, providing amusement. The memories of struggling to speak confidently in public and present myself are still vivid in my mind. Nervousness always overwhelmed me, causing me to forget what I had prepared to say.
Although I never intended to improve my language skills, I started practicing speaking English at home. Gradually, I became comfortable and proficient in the language. The person I am today is not who I expected to be when I first came here. These experiences have molded me into a better individual. When I think back on my initial relocation, it always reminds me of cherished memories from my childhood and the accomplishments I have achieved. Moving to America not only offered a promising future but also brought amazing friendships and enabled me to become fluent in the language.
