Five years ago, I embarked on a journey of living abroad—a ride marked by freezing temperatures, a pandemic, the welcome of my little one, five different roles, much joy, and many drawbacks. Today, I want to share what it has meant for me to live as an immigrant.
Unlike millions globally who seek refuge from violence or food insecurity, I chose to emigrate from Mexico for personal and professional growth. However, my journey, while overall satisfying, has not been easy, presenting challenges shared by many:
- Language Struggles: From medical terms to my deepest feelings, expressing myself in a non-native language remains a daily challenge, despite learning English since childhood.
- Cultivating Relationships: Despite being an introvert (although some might differ), I've made a tremendous effort to build relationships in the US. By the end of each day, I feel exhausted from making this effort, although I find it tremendously gratifying.
- Understanding New Systems: Every country operates differently. I had to learn new insurance, medical, tax, banking, and mailing systems, and tasks I never considered in Mexico (such as sending a fax).
- Building a New Support Network: Starting over from scratch, I had to create a support system for challenges, from simple needs to complex advice, that my previous network would've handled.
- Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Missing important events like Christmas celebrations, weddings, or trips with friends hits hard, especially during the holiday season.
- Missing Loved Ones: The most challenging aspect has been being away from family and friends, especially when facing difficult times. ?This was especially noticeable and hard when my son, Julián was born in February of 2020. For the first year, I couldn’t introduce him to most of my inner circle due to the pandemic.
To fellow immigrants, I encourage you not to keep your feelings to yourself. Seek support and know that it's okay to have second thoughts.
If you know an immigrant, practice compassion through some of these tactics:
- Listen Patiently: Be patient when communication is a struggle and clarify when needed.
- Practice Curiosity: Ask respectfully about their culture, traditions, and perspectives. Please be aware that some of us feel more comfortable sharing than others.
- Check In: Regularly check in to see if they need assistance or advice.
- Invite to Gatherings: Celebrating new traditions together fosters deeper connections and helps people to adapt to the new environment.
- Challenge Unwelcoming Comments: Stand up against unwelcoming or rude comments, fostering inclusivity.
Despite these challenges, I believe this was the right decision for me and my family. In these five years, I've grown closer to my wife Lyly and Julián. I've developed new skills, improved communication, made essential friendships, and embraced new places, foods, and traditions. Above all, I've discovered the new me, learning to love myself.
In the balance, despite the challenges, my journey as an immigrant has enriched my life and brought newfound joy and growth.
Freelance coach and editor
1 年I am very happy for you. It is not easy to do. Congratulations on your sixth winter!
Total Rewards Project Manager at Kellanova
1 年I am grateful for the opportunity to work with you. Thank you so much for your continued support and guidance!
Employment lawyer and human resources leader; Director, Hire-to-Retire for Kellogg North America at Kellanova (formerly Kellogg)
1 年You are such a joy to work with. I am glad you made the choices you did!
Recruiting & HR Manager at Cascade Engineering
1 年I’m so thankful that I had the privilege of getting to know you!
Lead Data Scientist | People Analytics | Kellanova | UIUC | Wipro| Infosys
1 年I resonate deeply with the experiences you've shared. Your story is a powerful reminder of the complexities and the profound personal growth that comes with such a life-changing decision. I hope I can embrace the journey with such positivity and resilience just like you, David! :-)