Good vs. Bad

The most exciting part about going someplace new is going back to your roots and hometown. When you are away from home for a long time you appreciate having it when you return. The idea here: something good always comes out of everything you do. For every bad experience there has to be a good outcome, otherwise there would be no point in having lived that. It may sound cliché but it's all part of the balance of life.

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When I talk about something "bad" happening it doesn't mean that going to a different country is bad, on the contrary, it gives you the experience you will eventually need for something in your life. I always believe that everything happens for a reason, when something doesn't work out it's because it wasn't meant to be.

Life does go on no matter what happens, the days go by slowly for some, faster for others. But no matter what happens, the day only has 24 hours, which eventually go by relatively quickly. I never thought I would end up where I am today, there was no way of knowing ten years ago I would be graduating from GMU with a major in communication, life just happens and most of it is going along with the flow. Even with each bad moment, there will always be a good outcome because one way or another it will be a lesson that will help some way or another.

No manual??

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Do you ever feel that in some situations you would have liked someone to tell you how to confront it? I know that for living in a new country it would be easier if there was a manual for survival, but the reality is there are no set rules on how to live or what choices to make. It's all up to us to figure out what we want to do. Of course it does become much easier to learn from other's experiences.

After living 18 years in Ecuador, but in the meantime visiting the US every summer would seem the transition would no be difficult to make at all. Turns out it was. As many Latinos may know, family is one of the most important part in a person's life, this is actually true in any culture. But it's one thing if you live in a small city where each family member, including extended family, live only five minutes away. It's a completely other story not being able to see them for long periods of time. Studying in a country that is not my hometown has, however, taught me the importance of valuing what you have when you have it, instead of regretting the loss after its gone. Advice #1: appreciate what you have at the moment, and living every moment as if it were the last.

Building friendships is important in every person's life, and to have friends at a certain place gives assurance that you feel comfortable going to that place. I know when I first came to study at GMU I didn't know who to be friends with, eventually if you get yourself out there and go to events you meet all sorts of people. Advice #2: don't lock yourself in your, room. Get out, even if it is just to get to know the location you never know what could happen.

If the main purpose of going to another place is to study, focus on that but also have fun along the way. Too much studying is never good, balance things out. Being focused on studies, however, will let you fill time and it becomes much easier to deal with feeling homesick (like I already talked about in a previous entry). Advice #3: Balance out studying with fun activities, it's healthy not only physically but also mentally.

Eventually after a few weeks you are established and become feeling comfortable with your surroundings. Each place is different, it's just a matter of time and personal will to enjoy what is given to you, the more you will be able to make the most of it.

Becoming independent

There are a few things one can learn from being alone, it's part of the package of growing up and becoming an adult. It's all part of becoming independent and getting a life of our own, not always depending on our parents financially or even to make decisions. Making decisions is a big part of becoming independent, but it seems much easier when those choices are made with someone beside you. There may come times where you think you are the only person going through it, but is most likely will not be the case.

For instance, moving to a different country, having to make new friends in a place you don't call home, and having to live basically on your own can be hard to deal with. No worries though, if you are a Hispanic/ Latino in the US you are not alone. If you check out this website you will find there are millions of other Hispanic students that study in US colleges and universities.

http://www.hacu.net/hacu/Data,_Statistics,_and_Research_EN.asp

Knowing there are others that share your values, beliefs, and language can be of comfort in an unknown place. It is much easier to transition and blend in a new place and meet new people if those people make you feel welcome and are those that can give you advice on how things work at the place.

At the beginning I thought culture shock was not possible just because I travelled back and forth every summer, but one thing is going for vacation, another completely different situation is actually living in a different country.

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Something to always consider, don't shut yourself only to those that are similar to you, branch out to other cultures, you never know who you might meet or connections you might make. Just remember that it is more than likely there are others that are going through the same transitions you are.

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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