When I arrived in the United States in February 2018, I had no idea what life had prepared for me and which challenges I would face as an immigrant. I came from Brazil, running from a beautiful but violent country, with the hopes and dreams that one day I would be able to provide for my family. I decided to blog about my life because, like me, many other immigrants need to know that their voices are important.
I also acknowledge that some minorities have more privileges than others, and being able to study in a foreign country is something that not many first-generation immigrants can do.
I decided to blog because I want to share my journey of overcoming obstacles such as mental health and financial struggles, and my path from cleaning houses and working in the tech industry to being a first-generation non-traditional student at a Community College.
People often say to me that I am resilient, but I never saw myself this way. Maybe because I did not fully understand what that word meant back then. I was never a prodigy student in Brazil. In fact, I was exactly the opposite. I was a troubled student who suffered for long years from an attention disorder and, adding to that, the guilt of being gay in an extremely Christian family.
I am here because it took me 35 years to realize how strong and capable I am. I am here to show other people that they can, even if circumstances tell them otherwise. This might sound cliché, but obstacles are there to teach us a lesson, and I truly believe that our lives are not about luck but about opportunities and chances that we take.
I remember joining an event at college with the EOPS program where I had the opportunity to listen to this inspiring woman, Dr. Hortencia Jimenez, where I learned about the importance of what she calls "celebrating yourself." By celebrating and honoring yourself, no matter how big or small your accomplishments may seem in life, you embrace the journey of self-discovery and self-love. Recognizing your achievements, no matter how modest they appear to others, cultivates a positive mindset and fuels your inner resilience. By acknowledging your value, you pave the way for continued growth, resilience, and the courage to pursue your dreams. I learned that it does matter if I am an older student or if I am the so-called "late in life." We need to take every step forward and not backward. We are here in life to celebrate our victories and learn from our mistakes as we navigate life's unpredictable path with resilience and grace.