English
1A
Instructor: Ms.
Haumschilt
Changing Winds
I grew up on the mountain slopes of the outlands of Guanajuato, Mexico. There were no roads, only narrow paths that had been made by the livestock that feed along the steep hillsides. Life was blissful. I could climb up and down the rocky uncultivated hills to visit friends and family. The landscape was not a green one, but the tall pine and fruit trees that covered the land gave it the beautiful scenery of undisturbed nature. Looking back, I never really appreciated the balance the people had with nature. Wildlife was all around and lived harmoniously with us. We were poor, but it never felt like we were. Everyone was thankful for the small things in life. No one cared that we were always dirty and in ragged clothes. Life was perfect. I was surrounded by what I loved the most, nature and my family. Long ago were the days when I could sit on my cement rooftop and feel the ice cold breeze hit my face. Despite the nip it had against my soft adolescent skin, I loved knowing that the wind that hit my face had traveled miles and miles without being disturbed. Sometimes, I would stay up there until sundown. With little electricity, the hills and all its inhabitants slept and woke with the sun. It ruled over us like a caring landlord. Nights were cold, but it was worth staying outside to be able to look down from the pinnacle of the mountain, down at all the bigger towns below us. I would not have traded my dusty paradise for any of those artificially lighted concrete jungles, but unfortunately my future had other plans for me.
One day after I’d been rooftop sitting, my bags were already packed by the time I came inside, and my mother told me we were to leave to another country, one where I wouldn’t even know the language. My family was coming with me, so I wasn’t at all scared. I was curious and ready for something new. Still, I was heartbroken as I left my home with hope to build a new one in the United States. The hardest thing no doubt was learning to speak English. I was bullied from students and scolded by tutors for being too shy and not adapting quickly. Even at doctors’ offices or parent teacher conferences, I would have to translate for my Spanish speaking parents. That never went well. My parents expected me to know the language already, and there were a lot of medical terms I didn’t know how to translate. Their frustration with me grew, causing me to feel frustrated with myself. Every time I went to school I felt like I was in some Japanese game show where I was always in the spotlight making myself look ridiculous while everyone else seem to be having a great time. I came home every day feeling like a failure. However, with time I learned what I needed and started excelling at all my classes. My hard work and persistence paid off, and soon I was in a great position and surpassing my peers.
I wanted to save children the burden of explaining something they couldn’t and feel the disappointment from their parents and teachers as I did. This led to my decision to volunteer as a translator for the elementary school in my community. I remember those frustrating times I had as a child at these events. As soon as I walked in, I realized I underestimated the number of students I would be helping. There were a lot of families in need of a Spanish translator and many signed up for my help. I loved the classrooms. The smell of crayons, the colorful posters of encouragement, and the child size desks brought back the good times I had as a child. I did a full day of translating with both good and bad students. At the end of the day, one of the teachers mentioned to me that they were surprised with how many questions the parents had. Usually parents just come in and listen and leave with no questions she said. Her surprise about a parent wanting to be involved with their child’s education left me wondering.
I pondered the teacher’s remark and finally realized that I misunderstood her. What she was referring to was that with a proper translator, parents were more willing to communicate. I remember my own parents rushing out of the classroom those first years after we came to the United States. At the time I had figured it was because they didn’t care about my education and felt the conferences were a waste of their time. I realized that in reality they just wanted to end an uncomfortable situation. I imagined all the young students like me who were in classrooms with no translators, feeling out of place and thinking their own parents don’t care. Once again my heart broke with despair. My heart went out to the students who I feared would stop believing in themselves and give up. The more I looked into it, the more I realized how huge the community of immigrant families was. All the struggles I had were struggles that many families were facing.
This thought was always in my mind even when I would escape to enjoy nature. Whenever I could, I would go running in the redwood forests a few hours away from my home. With its steep slopes and the tall never-ending miles of trees, it reminded me of my old home. I loved jogging on frosty mornings when I could see my breath condensate with all the moisture in the air right in front of my face. I could not go as often as I liked to, but I enjoyed the peace nature brought me wherever I could. I could enter a state of complete serenity just sitting on my porch outside and feeling the fresh country wind. Even during these peaceful times, those students were always on my mind.
That experience definitely changed me.
Reflecting on my own struggles pushed me to always help anyone in need. It
opened my eyes to all the struggles we all face. Now, I volunteer whenever and
wherever I can. Life is never easy, but I think it would be a lot better if we
all just helped one another. I have since volunteered for other things, and I
love to do it. It may be translating or tutoring or even just helping out
someone I know who is in need. Compassion is something we lack in the world
today. I hope that by setting an example I inspire others to do the same.