The Columbus school cafeteria was loud; kids gathered around, sitting with their friend groups, laughing. Arianna was there in the middle of it all, surrounded by students who had known each other for life. It wasn’t just a fresh start for her; it was a leap into another country, another culture, and another life. She looked around, hopeless, for a familiar face, but she could not find any. The move from Costa Rica had been sudden, and now, in 7th grade, she had to reinvent who she was. 

Arianna’s story is not just about changing schools; it’s about the personal growth that comes from being pulled out from one world and dropped into another. She was suddenly surrounded by new people, places, and culture, not just in the Columbus School, but in Medellín in general. She learned to overcome moments of fear, where she felt alone and sad about the fact that her old life in Costa Rica was over, and find a new place for herself here in Colombia. 

Throughout this journey, Arianna went out of her comfort zone multiple times and left behind everything she knew and the people she loved. This also came with learning valuable lessons, which she is going to carry with her for the rest of her life. “I think the hardest part of all was leaving like people behind, more than the places because, well, the people make the places.” (minute 0:38). As Arianna explained, her entire life was in Costa Rica, and she didn’t know anything else. In addition to moving, which is already something hard and new, it was during the pandemic and felt extremely rushed. “As I said before, it’s very hard because since they’ve known each other and grown together, it’s not very easy to adapt.” (minute 02:38).

These struggles come to show her transition was not only about entering a new school, but also about reinventing herself in an environment she wasn’t familiar with. The pandemic only made the sense of separation worse, because it took away her opportunity to bond with the rest of the students in a way she would usually be able to.

Over time, things began to shift for Arianna. She started building new connections and rediscovering herself. Environments that once felt extremely unfamiliar slowly became filled with familiar faces and friends. She went from being intimidated to comfortable and started feeling included in the conversations. “You have to come through it, and there are some very nice people in the school, so after a time they start adapting to you, and you adapt as well.” (Minute 2:59). Her words highlight how adaptation was not only her responsibility, but a shared process.

Arianna also spoke about learning how to become more social, and explained how people in the Columbus School have a very enclosed social circle, and transferring into another school in Medellín prior to this one helped her open up more. “Also develop better social skills cause you have to talk to everyone cause you don’t know anybody, so for you to make friends you have to know others.” (Minute 3:50). Arianna is a great example of how moments of discomfort can become opportunities to grow. By forcing herself to reach out, she discovered a strength she might have never discovered if she had stayed in a familiar environment.

Looking back, Arianna admits it wasn’t always easy. “To be completely honest, when I actually moved her, I wanted to go back like for the first three years until I started adapting and like really letting go”. (Minute 1:04). Her words come to show that it is normal for you to feel bad at first, and experiences as risky as this one aren’t usually positive to begin with. Feeling left out is normal, especially as a teenager. It was changing her perspective that led her to build the life she currently has now, and made her enjoy being a student in the Columbus School.

Arianna’s story reflects the reality of many students around the world who transfer schools. Teenage years are already a very hard time for many, in which they try to discover who they are and grow into who they want to become. School transitions can open doors for adaptability and gaining self-confidence. All the challenges that come with moving can serve as learning experiences in which students meet new people and develop better social skills.

Now, when walking into the Columbus school cafeteria, Arianna has a place with people who make her feel seen. She no longer looks around the room, hopeless, looking for a place to sit. Instead, she walks in with confidence, knowing she belongs in a place that in the past, she never would have considered her home.