I jammed the key into the three locks found in Mexico City houses. A tall gate that accumulated dirt surrounded my house, isolating it from the street. Returning home from school, I carried my heavy backpack on my shoulder while wearing an uncomfortable uniform. I unlocked the final lock and walked in. My parents’ faces looked both secretive and excited, while they set the table for lunch. Our kitchen smelled like my mother’s chicken soup. My dad laid his hand on my shoulder while they shared life-changing news. Our dream of living in America became a reality. Although overjoyed, I also felt disappointed about leaving my life behind. My parents reassured me that this change would lead to better opportunities. Little things about my new environment calmed my nerves. For instance, big, ashy walls that surrounded houses back in Mexico, didn’t exist here. No fence enclosed my new backyard, allowing anyone to come in. Our new house lacked security, but we still felt safe. I am now part of a real community, which feels welcoming. In my American public high school, I found access to books, lunch, a computer, and qualified teachers. I took advantage of these free resources. With academics covered, I finally made friends. We agreed to hang out after school, without any adults! Unlike Mexico, a 15-year-old girl can go to the mall without any danger. I allowed myself to live like a regular teenager. The day we earned our residency felt like a celebration, gaining this new paradise I now call home. Seeing other immigrants, especially parents trying to offer better opportunities for their kids, inspired me. I talked to the lawyer of our immigration firm and became an intern there. Helping with cases, seeing the desperate faces of clients, or translating letters for the embassy, confirmed it. I want to become an immigration lawyer. I found my home in the US. I want to provide that same feeling to other families as they leave their three-locked doors and gated homes to seek a safer life. Although I did eventually find my career path through this obstacle, what I gained went far beyond simply choosing a direction for my future. I deeply matured and grew so much more as a person. The resiliency and optimism I learned throughout this life-changing journey, will guide me to a successful and fulfilled college experience and will enhance my learning drive. I learned how to seek opportunities that exist for students like me and take advantage of them. Ultimately, the knowledge I gained from this experience will hopefully provide me with a positive career. However, academics and employment are only a small fraction of what life is and what life will become. I feel 100% certain that the adventures I have had so far have equipped me with the correct tools to take on the roadblocks and challenges that life will inevitably place in front of me in the future. Even if I discover that I am not fully prepared for a particular challenge, I feel confident that I will be able to learn from my mistakes and strengthen myself for the next chapter or whatever life might bring.

Returning from middle school, I carried my heavy, purple backpack on my right shoulder while wearing uncomfortable, blue jeans and white polo. I unlocked the final lock and walked inside. My parents’ faces looked both secretive and excited, trying to play it off while they set the table for lunch. Our colorful kitchen smelled like the chicken soup my mom made. My dad walked over and laid his hand on my shoulder while they shared the news that would soon change my life. Our dream of living in America became a reality. Tears ran down my face as my heart filled with happiness. Despite feeling overjoyed, I could not help but to feel disappointed about leaving my family, friends, and most importantly, my life and culture behind. My parents kept reassuring me that this change would lead to a better life with greater opportunities. Although I looked forward to the change, I knew it was going to be a hard journey. After living in the same house for 14 years of my life, walking into an empty one felt like a punch to the stomach. Frequent IKEA trips did not help me create a home. I started noticing little things about my environment that both surprised and calmed my nerves. For instance, those big, ashy, gray walls that surrounded and isolated the houses back in Mexico, didn’t exist here. My own backyard had no fence, anyone could come in if they wanted. Our new house had no security alarms, but we still felt safe, something we would have never felt back in Mexico. What once was an empty place started to feel familiar and welcoming. The image I had of public education in my own country was nothing compared to what I received in the United States. In my neighborhood high school I had access to books, a warm lunch, a computer and qualified teachers. As a young ninth grader, I had to take advantage of getting a good education without spending money. I had my educational area covered, and in my social life I also felt accepted. I met some kind girls. We agreed to hang out after school, without any adults! Unlike Mexico, a 15-year-old girl can cross the street, without hearing any cars honking at her, or could go to the mall without any hints of danger. I could grab a pink, glaze, and rainbow sprinkled donut next to my school building and eat it while walking home. I felt a sense of safety and relief, allowing myself to live the life of a regular teenager. The day we picked up our green cards felt like a never-ending celebration. We were enthusiastic about having a guaranteed stay in this new paradise I would be calling a home. Seeing other immigrants share this feeling of peace and those parents trying to offer better opportunities for their kids, inspired me. I talked to the head lawyer of the same firm that granted me a different life, and soon became an intern there. Helping with immigration cases just like mine, seeing the desperate faces of clients change after receiving good news, translating recommendation letters to the embassy, or scanning important documents, confirmed it. I want to become an immigration lawyer! I felt safe and comforted when arriving in the United States. Hopefully, I can provide that same feeling of ease to families around the world as they leave their three-locked doors and gated homes, taking on the adventure of seeking a safer life.