a turn of events

By Savio M

Princess Paat, a 11th grade student at YB, had gone through what some people will never get the experience of: moving from her home country of the Philippines to the United States. She knows the pain of adapting to a new environment as well as learning a new language.

At the young age of 8 princess found herself on the move--and not a small one--as she was born in the Philippines. she stated that she didn’t really know why she moved but it just happened. She said she was very excited and nervous but most of all she didn’t know what to expect.

We mostly talked about the perks and the struggles of coming to the U.S and school life here. At the age of 8 going into the third grade whilst barely learning to speak English she pushed through and made it to school. She talked about a family member who already knew English and how they helped her learn English in 6 months which is impressive.

She attended school in mt pleasant She said “I felt lonely at school because you know there wasn’t many Filipinos there so I did feel out of place” she had just come from another country and was trying to fit in and adjust

Not only socially but environmentally was it challenging for her She said, “ it was so cold compared to the philippines over there its always hot”

She talked about her first and best friend Tania. She said “ she just came up to me and we kinda became friends. We always did everything together and she really helped me adjust” she also said she still talks to her today even though she goes to a different school.

All to say if you feel out of place or lonely just think nothing is impossible if you put your mind and effort to it just like she did. She said “ I miss the house with my grandpa and it’s mostly because of the memories it’s where I grew up”

growing up in the philippines and switching was really hard for her but even so, she doesn’t regret leaving. “ I still wouldn’t go back. This has been good and given me opportunities that I wouldn’t have had in the philippines,” she said.