My Journey and Adaptation in the United States

I arrived in the United States in July 2023 to visit my son, as I usually did every year. However, this time the trip changed my life. I traveled with a friend from the International Airport in Valencia, Venezuela, to Miami International Airport. The ticket cost $190, and Regulo, a friend of my son, picked us up and hosted us at his home. The next day, we went to the beach in Miami Beach and met up with my friend María and her mother. It was a special and emotional day full of joy. After that, we traveled to Houston, Texas, where my friend’s daughter, who is also my niece, was waiting for us at the airport with her baby. It was a touching reunion, since she had not seen her mother for two years. In August, my son traveled from Seattle to Texas, and we spent time with family and friends. We later traveled to Las Vegas, and from there I was supposed to return to Venezuela through Miami. However, I was given the opportunity to stay in the U.S., and I decided to take it. I returned to Texas and stayed with my relatives, helping at home and taking care of my niece’s baby. In January 2024, I moved with my son to Bothell, Washington, to see if I could adapt to the cold weather, and I did. In February, I started studying English at Cascadia College. In March, I studied and passed the driver’s license exam on the first try. In May 2024, I began online studies to get my health and life insurance license, and I passed the exam on the first attempt. Since then, I’ve been training continuously. I decided to stay in the U.S. with my only son to help him and support each other. Even though I miss my mother, my relatives, my friends and my culture, I feel good here and stay busy every day. In conclusion, this journey has been full of changes, growth, and adaptation, and I keep moving forward with faith and hope.