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My name is Nicol, and I am from Colombia. My journey to the United States was long and full of challenges, but it also brought my mother and me closer together.  

 It all began when my mother decided we needed to leave Colombia. Life there became very difficult after my father passed away. My mother wanted a better future for us, so she made the brave decision to move to the United States. My two older sisters already lived in the U.S., and they were excited for us to join them. They promised that life would be better there, and we could have more opportunities.   

We started our journey by taking two flights from Colombia to Mexico. I remember feeling a mix of excitement and fear as we flew over new places. I looked out the window and saw beautiful landscapes, but I also thought about everything we were leaving behind like my friends, my school, and the life I knew. It was hard to say goodbye, but I trusted my mother.  After arriving in Mexico, we faced another challenge: we had to take a bus for 36 hours to reach the U.S. border. The bus was crowded, and the ride felt long. To make it easier, my mother told me stories about her childhood in Colombia. She talked about her dreams and how she always wanted to create a better life for her family. Her words inspired me and helped me feel hopeful.   

Once we reached the border, we had to walk through a desert. This part of our journey was one of the hardest. The sun was very hot, and the sand burned my feet. We walked for three hours under the blazing sun, and I felt tired and thirsty. But I kept thinking about our goal of a better life in America and that gave me strength.   

When we finally reached the river that separates Mexico from the United States, I felt both scared and relieved. The water was cold, which felt good after walking in the heat, but crossing was not easy. The rocks were slippery, and I had to be careful not to fall. We helped each other as we crossed, holding hands tightly. Each step we took brought us closer to our new life.  After crossing the river successfully, we were filled with joy but also nervousness about what would happen next. We knew that we had made it this far, but there were still many challenges ahead of us.   

Once we entered the United States, everything felt different: the language, the people, and even the food! At first, it was overwhelming because I didn’t understand English very well. But my mother encouraged me to keep trying. She said learning English would help us make friends and find good jobs.  We settled in a small town where my sisters lived. They welcomed us with open arms and helped us get used to our new surroundings. My sisters showed us around and introduced us to their friends. Slowly but surely, I began to feel more at home.   

One of my favorite memories is when my sisters took us to a local park for a picnic. We laughed together as we shared food from Colombia—arepas and empanadas—and tried some American snacks too! It was nice to feel like a family again after such a difficult journey.  Even though adjusting to life in America was challenging at times—like learning how to speak English or understanding cultural differences—I always felt grateful for this opportunity.  

My mother worked hard at her job while going to English classes at night. She inspired me with her dedication.  I remember celebrating holidays with my family here for the first time Thanksgiving was especially memorable! We learned about American traditions while sharing our own Colombian customs with new friends. It felt good to blend both cultures together.  For me, it’s very hard for me to remember many details from my time living in Colombia because of my father’s passing. However, one special memory stands out: praying with my mother during our journey which gave us strength and hope.   

Through this experience of moving from Colombia to America, I’ve learned so much about resilience the ability to keep going even when things are tough and love between a mother and daughter. Each day is an opportunity for growth, learning something new about myself and this country.  Now that I am living here in America with my mother and sisters, I dream of going to college one day and becoming someone who can help others like us who want a better life.