I am from Guatemala. I was living with my mother and my sister. I came to the U.S when I was twelve with my mother and my sister. The difference between Guatemala and the U.S. is the school, food, cold weather, and especially the language. The school was different because the teachers only speak Spanish and you understand what they say. School started at 7:00 and the school ended at 12:00. The school here is different because the teachers only speak English. It is very difficult to speak and understand English.

    When my mother told me we going to come to the U.S., I was so happy but at the time I was sad too. I was happy because almost all my family was in the U.S. I was happy because I wanted to know about my cousins, and that was why I was so happy to come to the U.S.  I was sad because I know I will miss my family, especially my grandmother. She was like my second mother. I was sad because I had to leave all the things I knew—my friends and my family. I did not like it at all when I got here. I did not like the school because everything was different from my school in Guatemala. When I started school, I felt sad and discouraged because I did not understand when somebody talked to me.

    Now I feel comfortable because I understand more English and the way of life here. I like the school more because now I understand more English and I have friends. My mom made a lot of sacrifices for me to be here. She brought me here to have a better life. In the U.S., you have more opportunity. My goals are to finish the high school, to learn English well, and I would like to go to the university. Your education is the only thing no one can take away. I learn that you always have to trust in yourself and think about the future.