Weave the Web

One of the most difficult things in life can be having to leave behind a place you call home. Today, I am grateful for the chance to start fresh and the life lessons that I've learned that shaped who I am. I didn’t always feel that way.

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Moving from São Paulo, Brazil to Springfield, New Jersey, was more to me than just moving; it was starting a new life away from my hometown and the company of family and friends. My family moved because my dad was offered a new job that was based in New York City, The trip didn’t come without its challenges. I was raised in a family where friends and relatives were the most important thing- the number one priority. We were also surrounded by a vibrant culture in São Paulo. I grew up with memories of celebrations, visits from relatives, and long weekends spent at the beach. We moved with the hope of starting a better life, something with better chances and a more calm, peaceful environment. São Paulo was a  busy city where crime was on the rise and rampant however, the challenge of starting over was scary. 

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My biggest obstacle at the time was communication. I had trouble expressing myself in this new life because I didn't speak English well when we moved.  Due to the language barrier, I felt different. I had a very tough first day of school since I was surrounded by people I didn't know and I felt like I was falling behind because of how quickly everyone spoke English. I missed being able to start up a conversation easily, and I often found myself staying quiet because I didn't know how to start one. I made it a habit to use my English both inside and outside of the classroom. Even though I struggled with my words, I would still try to have conversations with my friends and watch English-language movies. My abilities increased over time, and I started to feel more comfortable. I also looked for people who were patient with me and understood my challenges, encouraging me as I continued to improve my language skills and helped me deal with the social side of life in the US.

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As I started building more confidence, I also improved my leadership and communication skills. I always knew I loved sports but this new confidence led me to a position I didn’t think I could achieve when I first joined the team. I first started running to stay in shape for soccer and after a couple of years I was the captain of the track and cross country team. The challenges I faced when I first moved here and my ability to overcome them helped turn me into an empathetic leader and I look for ways to make the new runners feel welcome into the team. This experience of leading and motivating my peers and team is one of my proudest highlights since making the move from Brazil to the US.

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The language barrier was not the only difficult part of the move. The emotional part was just as difficult. I was really missing my friends and family in Brazil. I often realized how much I missed some people and places and it made me sad I would never meet them for our weekly Friday pizza night. However, as I adjusted to my new life, I also started to value what the US offered to me. I recognized that this move gave me a chance to find new hobbies and activities,  including representing my school in track & field and soccer. As time went on, I discovered that growth can happen even in spite of change. I discovered that overcoming the most difficult challenges can be accomplished with patience and that feeling uncomfortable is usually a step toward improvement. A valuable lesson to carry with me through my college years and my adulthood.

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