Risks and achievements I have accomplished.
Ever traveled across the ocean to follow a dream? I have. It was a risk I took to reach a long desired dream.
Being young and living in South America, I always wanted to come to the U.S. so I could study in a country where I would receive a diploma and actually have it be worth something. With luck on my side, I was able to take that chance and be here writhing this essay. Arriving here was easy and great, but the hope of being accepted and settling here in a different culture would be a major adjusting experience.
At first, I was skeptical about talking to people. My English wasn't so great, or so I thought. I entered Sunset Elementary and passed the ESOL test without one mistake, that then gave me the confidence to open up and make new friends. Soon enough I was eating lunch with kids and raising my hand to answer questions. Being accepted was a bit easier than I thought. Kids are kids and they don't see your race or background, they just want a friend. .
Actually the hardest part in being accepted came during later years in middle school and High School. It wasn't until I started taking pre-IB classes and AP courses that I realized I wasn't as ahead as everyone else with my English. It wasn't until I got my PSAT and SAT scores back that I felt for the first time I wasn't from this country. Also, a lot of people made a little bit more of a negative impact on me being accepted through later years. For example, kids in High School see me, and the see a blonde, green eyed- fair skin white girl. However, many times when they have actually learned that I am half Peruvian and half Swiss they joke about my countries being full of Indians and another just as a cheese factory. One could see it as ignorance and jealousy, I for the most part have never let it affect it which brings me to my next point. .
In addition, adjusting in this different culture wasn't all that different.
