I never came to stay. I always arrive without warning, without a name, without a history, or the labels that used to define me. But it never lasts long before I start over somewhere else. And yet, I don’t mind. I start from scratch, and once again I’m the new girl; the new student, the new classmate, the new friend, always passing through. 

Since I was young, I have changed schools constantly, rarely staying more than two years in one place. At first, it excited me; every move felt like a chance to be someone new: more social, more studious, free from criticism of others. But the truth is, I was often running away from it, the harsh words, the teasing, the moments when teachers and classmates made me feel small. It was in Elementary school the first time I heard words that keep tormenting me every day. My teacher made me repeat in front of the class that I was useless, pointing out flaws that I didn’t even know I had. School became a place of fear rather than learning. 

When I moved to the United States for high school, I was full of hope that I could leave the past behind and become the person I wanted to be, extroverted, confident, accepted. Many of us spoke Spanish, but being in the United States, English was essential. My classmates spoke it fluently and without an accent, while I barely spoke at all. That difference made me feel smaller, like I didn’t quite belong. The academic system was different, and I struggled to keep up. Socially, I was mostly alone, and I spent many days feeling invisible. 

When my mom’s job brough us to Missouri, I saw it as another chance to start fresh. The transition wasn’t easy; I often relied on a translator, ashamed about my accent, and nervous to adapt to a new school system. But through it all, I discovered a love for writing and communication, which inspired me to pursue my dream to become a journalist. Little by little, I began to find my voice, smiling more, taking initiative, and learning to enjoy social interactions instead of hiding from them. Moving from place to place has taught me resilience, self-awareness, and given me the courage to grow even when I don’t feel fully at home. I am still learning, still growing, and still exploring who I am, but now, I embrace being the new one, wherever life takes me.