Sorry

Life is always changing in many ways but usually the way you are raised can define your
values, who you become, who you hang out with and the choices you make along the way.
A big part of who you become depends on where you live and grew up, because
everywhere in the world has culture. All different but united by us living on the same planet.
My life changing moment was me going to Ecuador and having a life over there, that
experience made me realize how deeply it impacted me. How it changed the way I view
culture, nature, and even my purpose in life.
Initially, It all started when my mom decided that I would go to school in my home country
for three months. To be honest, I wasn’t excited about it. In fact, I was kind of upset that
she was making me go. I had no desire to leave my friends, my school, and the life I knew. It
felt like I was being forced to do something I wasn’t ready for. But my mom insisted, saying
that it would help me connect with my culture and roots, even though I didn’t fully
understand why it mattered.
When I first arrived in my country, it felt so strange. The school, the people, and even the
streets felt different from what I was used to. I had never been to school there before, so I
felt like an outsider. I struggled to make friends, and it was hard for me to adjust. The
language felt different, even though I spoke it at home. The food was unfamiliar, and
everything felt like a huge change.
But as time went on, something began to shift. I started getting to know the people, and
little by little, I felt myself becoming a part of it all. I made some of the best friends I’ve ever
had, friends who are still in my life today. I even found love, which was something I didn’t
expect at all. There was something magical about being in a place where I could finally
connect to my roots, something I didn’t realize I was missing until I experienced it. It wasn’t
just about the culture—it was about the way the people lived, the way they valued family,
and the way they shared everything with each other. I felt like I had another life there, one
that was all mine, where I could just be me.
But it wasn’t the same for my sisters. They hated it. They didn’t connect with the culture the
way I did, and they didn’t like being away from home. They didn’t enjoy the time at school
or the changes we had to face. It was tough to see them struggle while I was falling in love
with the experience, but at the same time, it made me realize just how much I was growing.
What started out as something I dreaded became something I looked forward to. I kept
going back after that summer, year after year, because I loved it so much. It was like finding
a piece of me I didn’t know was missing.

Looking back, I realize how important that time was in shaping who I am today. It taught me
that even though we might feel disconnected from our roots, they’re always a part of us.
That summer made me appreciate my culture in ways I never could have before. I learned
the value of knowing where you come from, not just because it’s important, but because it
helps you understand who you are and where you’re going.
Even though my sisters didn’t share the same experience, for me, going to school in my
home country was a life-changing adventure. It brought me closer to my heritage, helped
me build lifelong relationships, and gave me a new sense of belonging. I’m so grateful for
that summer, because it opened my eyes to a whole new world, one that I continue to
return to whenever I can.