Stepping onto new soil at age 11, freshman Edith Carter recalls the fear that she possessed three years ago; panic for new things, new people and a completely new life. Three years have passed and Carter has already observed how much she has changed in just that amount of time from leaving her hispanic culture, and entering into the emergence of American.
Carter came to the United States from Mexico to live with her aunt. Carter’s aunt adopted her after the death of her father because he cared and supported Carter while she lived in Mexico.
“Once he died I didn’t really have a future there,” Carter said, “so my ‘mom’ (aunt) was like ‘Oh well, I’ll take you with me.’ My real mom is still in Mexico.”
When Carter first entered America, she became overwhelmed at the unfamiliar faces. Her fear didn’t seem to stop her in the slightest, for she adapted well and already knew the English language. Carter attended a private school in Mexico that taught her English as well as other learning skills. In the private school, Carter struggled to pass each class, but here she earns straight A’s.
“It’s way easier over here,” Carter said. “Our teachers were so strict.”
Although she adjusted to the new, safer community she entered, Carter didn’t let the odd quirks of American society go unnoticed. Carter noticed people here are a lot more open and don’t seem to keep their business to themselves. In Mexico, Carter only saw things on Facebook such as “oh, I’m about to go to the mall”. Here, on Facebook Carter sees things like “oh my gosh, my boyfriend just broke up with me.”
“[People] don’t seem to keep their business to themselves,” Carter said. “I kind of got that way when I came here.”
During the upcoming summer, Carter will attend a wedding in Mexico for her cousin. Carter enjoys living here at the moment while she’s getting an education, but one day wants to go return to Mexico.
“I miss going to my grandpa’s ranch,” Carter said. “I just want to take care of it.”
