LAURA

I believe all stories of those who decide to live, or study, abroad have one thing in common, the struggle to adapt to a different culture and to leave one’s culture and loved ones behind; however, everyone’s story is different, and this difference is in how we decide to embrace this experience.

Almost six years ago, mostly due to my parents’ desire for us to have a stable and secure future, my sisters and I ended up coming to the U.S to complete our undergraduate degrees.  I always resented those who could not wait for the opportunity to leave Colombia and to live “the American dream.” I resented them because I considered they were betraying their own country by losing hope on the idea that change and development were possible, they were “escaping” their reality. In the end, I understood they were just trying to survive in a world shaped by structural inequality that defines your future before you are even born.

At first, I used to feel ashamed about my accent and I struggled to find the right words to fit. I heard some of my friends’ experiences as foreigners and how people recognized Colombia as Pablo Escobar’s land. I remember when they expected me to teach them how to dance Salsa and to love Vallenato because that is what Colombians do. It was not until some of my friends asked me if I could get cocaine for them and until a hiring manager during a job interview asked me if I felt proud of Netflix’s show featuring Pablo Escobar, that I realized what they meant.

After I graduated from college, I realized my greater barrier has always been me and my lack of confidence. I had difficulty finding a sense of belonging in a culture full of stereotypical and xenophobic practices and beliefs. However, when I moved to New York to complete my master’s degree, I recognized that diversity and inclusion was also a big part of American culture, depending on where you go, the U.S is full of diverse identities and nationalities. I understood that the combination of my experiences makes me who I am today, and I am proud of my uniqueness. Being a foreigner does not represent a disadvantage for me anymore, it has given me value and it shapes the way I act and think every day. When you learn how to interact with individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds, your perspectives change, and you see value in things you did not recognize before. Unfortunately, not everyone has the ability to see beyond borders and cultures, but I believe we can teach them.