Moving to a new country can be both exciting and scary, especially for students who come from different countries, face cultural differences, and possibly learn new languages that are not their first ones.

The experiences of three students, Trinidad Dominguez, Ella Wilson, and Esteban Barrios, who recently moved to Medellín, highlight both the challenges and achievements in adapting to a new country.

“It was exciting yet also very nerve-racking because TCS wasn’t just a new school for me, but also a new country and culture. I was excited to meet new people yet nervous that I wouldn’t be accepted and that I wouldn’t enjoy my final years of high school,” Ella Wilson shared.

Despite her concerns, Ella realized she needed to improve her fluency in Spanish to better integrate socially. “I would have practiced Spanish or tried speaking Spanish since my first day here so it would be easier for me to create a social life here,” she said.

Ella also reflected on the friendships she left behind in Miami, which initially made the transition harder. “I wish that I had my friends from Miami here in Medellín, but I would stay here because of the city and culture I love. I’ve also made friendships here that I would never want to lose,” she added.

Both Ella and Trinidad Dominguez expressed their love for Medellín, which made their transitions smoother. “I remember my first thought was about how clean the city was, especially since I arrived at the airport from Palmas. Another thought I had was that everything was built with bricks, which was very interesting to me because I hadn’t seen that before. But overall, I had very positive thoughts about the city,” Trinidad said.

However, joining a new school during the pandemic posed challenges for Trinidad. “It was hard to join a new school, especially because I joined in the middle of the pandemic. So I joined online, not in person. At first, I was scared because I didn’t know what to expect from people or if I could make friends because of the pandemic,” she shared.

Support from family and friends helped Trinidad adjust. “It’s always helpful to have my brother; we do everything together, and even though I’ve changed schools and countries many times, he was always there. Also, my friend Helena helped me a lot; she was my first friend in Medellín and introduced me to other people, as well as taught me how the school system works,” she explained.

Esteban Barrios also faced challenges when moving from Florida to Colombia. “They helped me by speaking Spanish at home. They helped me learn to speak Spanish at school too, and yes, they’ve been very helpful in my experience,” he said.

Esteban encourages others not to be afraid of learning a new language. “Don’t be afraid to learn another language. At first, you’re going to mess up and all that. But in the end, it’s part of the learning process. You have to keep trying, and in the end, you’ll succeed,” he said.

All three students faced significant challenges but adapted well to their new lives. “It’s not as scary as it may seem,” Ella remarked.

Their experiences demonstrate that moving can be tough, but it is also an opportunity for growth and connection. “It took me a couple of months to feel comfortable in Medellín, as I didn’t get the chance to get to know the city because of the pandemic. After a year or two, I felt comfortable with the environment and the people,” Trinidad reflected.

The journeys of Ella, Trinidad, and Esteban highlight the courage needed to adjust to life far from home. Their stories show not only the obstacles they overcame but also the rewards of meeting new people and learning new things. “But in the end, it’s part of the learning process. You have to keep trying, and in the end, you’ll succeed,” Esteban said.