Written by Ruth Thorsgaard, Rebecca Nixon and Susan Breedlove
Camden High has experienced an influx of dozens of students immigrating to the U.S. from South and Central America this school year. The vast majority have come from Ecuador (see map). Teachers Ruth Thorsgaard and Rebecca Nixon asked them to answer some leading questions related to their immigration to the U.S. by writing in Spanish, their homeland language. The students next translated their stories from Spanish to English. The following is one student’s story and below that are excerpts from some additional classmates.
My immigration story, by Ronald
“I lived in Ecuador and crossed Columbia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico (to get to the U.S.). My life in these countries was one of the craziest experiences I have ever had and this trip was also very difficult. I came to the United States because here there are more life opportunities, and I can study. My mother and my brothers stayed in my country. My push factors were the bad economy and how dangerous my country was. What I miss most about my country is the food and its culture. I don’t miss the banditry and the murders in my country. I want to tell Americans that I find it difficult to adapt to the society of this country. If I had to tell anyone about immigration it should be that the journey is very difficult but never give up. My dream would be to learn English and finish my studies and continue college.”
Experiences and perceptions of the U.S.
“This country is beautiful, but when winter comes it knows how to be completely cold.” Elvis
“My first impression in the United States was the school which is very good.” Luis
“The houses in Minnesota are beautiful. Life here is very beautiful and safe.” Evelyn
“When I arrived in the United States I saw that it is very beautiful and I like it because I can go to
different places. Here they give you the (school) supplies for free and in Ecuador you have to buy them.” Emily
“Life in the United States is very calm because you can go out and relax. I go to school and
nothing happens to me. I like living here a lot since there is a lot of security here.” Steven
“My first impression of the United States was it’s beautiful and has security.” Briguette
“Life in the United States is very hard because sometimes there is not work and we cannot pay
the debt.” Genesis
“My first impression of the United States is that it’s beautiful and has security. There are good
and bad things in the United States like employment and the crime.” Julio
Dreams of immigrating students for the future
“Fulfill all my dreams, I want to fulfill my goals and be something in life, be a soldier….” Elvis
“My dream is to be a professional baseball player, play professional baseball in my country and
have a family.” Luis
“My dream is that I want to be a professional, have a home with my husband and children, and
be able to take care of my parents.” Evelyn
“My dream is to be a nurse and raise my family, continue with my studies and become a
professional.” Emily
“My dream would be to one day go to the army and fulfill my promise to my parents.” Steven
“My dream in the future would be to achieve all my dreams, have my own career, have a lot of
money and help people who need a lot of help.” Briguette
“All my dreams are to be a police officer, have a little house, a car and many more things.” Genesis
“I want to have a profession. I would like to be an explorer and see places around the world. It
is very hard but never give up and fight for your dreams.” Julio
What do you want the people in the Camden Community to know about you?
“Tell them that I’m smart and I go to school and I do all the work and I do it hard.” Elvis
“If I could teach someone about immigration, it is humility.” Luis
“That we all must respect immigration laws.” Emily
“What I want Americans to know about me is that there is no evil in me.” Briguette
“I would tell them that now that I am in this country I have many opportunities to be someone.” Genesis
“If I would tell Americans one thing, it would be that I am trying to learn English so I can talk to
them. I would tell them to treat everyone with respect because we are all equal.” Steven
Note: July’s Camden News will feature immigration stories of students at Camden High School – Part 2 in which students will share their journey to the U.S., their feelings about leaving their homeland, and why their families left and have come to live in our Northside.