Having pride in your roots

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To be a Latino/ Hispanic in the United States always comes with stereotypes and perceptions of belonging to a minority group, but being fluent in English and a citizen definitely helps getting around the country. The problem is that because of repression and discrimination of minority groups, many people of Hispanic origin prefer to hide these origins. I have always been against it and will continue to share my culture and customs for others to learn about what other people are like.

Part of being proud of who I am is being proud of the place you come from. Traditions, languages, history and simply getting others interested in learning about that certain place, in this case, Ecuador (Mi pais = My country).

Below is a video about typical foods of Ecuador, maybe you can start by getting others to try a unique food from your country?

"No Reservations" By Anthony Bourdain:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1eggP1Dkgk (video part 1 of 5)

Yes I am a proud US citizen but am also Ecuadorean. Growing up in an international environment prepared me for studying in a different country. But it was also easy for me to value my origins even more. Going out to the world can be scary, but for those that deal with discriminatory issues due to belonging to a "minority" makes it even harder.

But even then, having a voice as a Latino amidst disaster makes me even prouder of being who I am. One of those reasons is by giving back to those in need. Check out the videos of the "We are the World" made in support of Haiti.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwrkGtjj8b4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glny4jSciVI&feature=channel

Meeting New people

Changing homes can be difficult, but changing your lifestyle is a completely other story. No worries though, along with new places comes the opportunity to meet new people. Sure you have friends waiting for you back home but it doesn't mean you need to sit around all day all by yourself in your room. You would go crazy by the time the end of the semester arrived.

Having friends in your hometown you know you can count on no matter the distance is important in your life, I know it is for me. But it's also important to have people to interact with when you are in a different place in the world. The easiest way to meet new people, go out into the world and get yourself involved in organizations or events that you are interested in. For someone who might be shy or scared of going to a new place it might not be easy at first but once you're out there, you won't know what you were scared of in the first place.

A recommendation: start by meeting people that belong to groups that will make you feel comfortable, this makes it easier, then expand your networks. You do need to keep in mind that the more you lock yourself in your room, the less you will be able to be included in fun activities. As long as you keep your mind open to any possibility, the more opportunities will emerge for meeting great people.

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Feeling Homesick

After you are adjusted to a new space and time has gone by there comes a time where you hear something or see something that reminds you of home. Feelings emerge on missing home and feeling homesick. Just imagine have those times when you can't really do much about it except for wait for time to go by, especially if reaching home means an entire day of travel. To feel closer you either spend some time looking through pictures or going online to talk to friends back home. The best feeling anyone can get is getting messages of "I miss you" or "when are you coming home?"

It's amazing how simple words can make your day better, but that goes for anyone, anywhere, anytime. Having friends to go back to and knowing there is someone that can be considered a true friend. There is always a special video, a special picture that makes the day better when missing home, yet sometimes this can bring more feelings of being homesick. In my opinion the best way to pass time is to keep busy. Start by going to sporting events or music concerts, they are always fun to go to with a a group a friends.

Keeping busy in school, at work and by joining organizations are good ways to go. Something that works is not even thinking about time. Everyone complains about the amount of work each class requires, but in the end keeping busy is actually a good thing. It is harder with longer periods of time but the less you think about time the faster time actually goes by. Before you know it going home will only be a week’s time away versus months and months away.

Changing countries

Growing up is part of life, and who you are as a person depends with who you grew up around. I grew up in a third world country where the opportunities for life are not as great as in the US, but does that mean I am less of a person because of identifying myself as a Latina?? Actually it only means I am between two worlds. Literally two worlds between English and Spanish, Latina and American... but really these are just labels. Travelling back and forth always helps a transition much easier, but one thing is visiting a place only for vacation but it's a completely different story actually living in a place that is NOT your hometown.

Leaving friends, family and your hometown is never easy, especially if it means travelling 5000 km or 2600 miles away. Meeting new people, learning new things, and living life are all part of the new journey from moving locations. It is scary at first, but lets face it, everything you don't know about the future can be a little scary. Leaving those you care about behind can be the most difficult part, but what I always repeat to myself: time goes by fast so before you have time to think about missing them or being nostaligic over the lengthy period you won't see them, you'll be seeing them again.

Just remember: communication is easy and technology makes connections easier to make. You don't have to wait months before you receive a letter giving you info on your friend's life, you have Facebook, instant messenger, and Skype. So don't worry about not being able to go out with your old friends all the time, they will always be a part of your life no matter where you go in the world. Real friends don't care where you go, they'll be waiting for you when you get back.

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