Sorry

Life in Ecuador was good. I loved playing volleyball, being the student council secretary, and doing really well in school. I had a great social life too, hanging out with friends and going to parties. But deep down, I struggled with insecurities about school and even about how I looked.

Everything changed when my parents told me I was moving to the U.S. with my mom.

I didn’t want to go at all. It was mostly my mom’s decision, and I disagreed at first. I didn’t want to leave my dad, my life, or my friends behind. For three years, I wanted to stay in my country. I was scared of the English language, the new school system, and the fear that I wouldn’t do as well in school as I did in Ecuador.

But in the end, I had to admit that my mom was right. As much as I loved Ecuador, it didn’t really offer many opportunities for my future. She had seen that long before I did, and even though it hurt, I finally understood.

Since I knew I had no choice, I tried to prepare myself during those three years. When the day finally came, I felt calmer than I expected, mostly because my parents were always there for me. Leaving my dad was really hard, but my mom and the rest of my family supported me through it.

Making friends in my new school was one of the best things that happened to me. People were really welcoming, and I felt so proud every time I achieved something. When my parents congratulated me, it meant everything.

However, my senior year was tough. I had no idea about graduation requirements, service hours, college applications, or scholarships. I had to figure all of it out really fast, and it was honestly super stressful. I felt lost a lot of the time, but my parents, my teachers, and my own determination helped me push through.

One of the things I’m most proud of is improving my English. I worked so hard, and when I finally felt confident speaking and writing it, it was the best feeling. But the most amazing moment was getting my acceptance letterEcuador and a scholarship from my dream university. After everything, it felt like proof that all my hard work had been worth it.

This whole experience taught me how important it is to be strong when life changes. You have to remember who you are and where you come from, but also be open to new things. Change is scary, but it helps you grow.