“Se dice que, que uno es más fuerte que lo que uno pensaba, cuando uno experimenta todo eso, se da cuenta que uno es más fuerte de lo que uno piensa.”

“They say that you are stronger than you think. When you experience all that, you realize that you are stronger than you think.”

Listen to Beatriz

Introduction

Given the magnitude of Latin American migration to the United States, many may assume migration is straightforward or simple. However, as demonstrated in the first two lessons of this module, the challenges, both physical and non-physical, that migrants face along their journey throughout Latin America and within the United States are incredibly difficult and have impacts that are long-lasting. Naturally, migrants often express pride, and even disbelief at their ability to overcome and grapple with these challenges.

Below, you will read the reflections of our five protagonists in response to the question “What do you feel proud of at this moment?” As you read them, take note about what patterns you see, what feelings they provoke, and what stands out to you to help you in responding to this lesson's reflection question(s).

“Me siento orgullosa de muchas cosas. No es algo fácil pasar por una selva con 5 niños y pasar por más 7 países para venir con muchos hijos. Me siento orgullosa de llegar acá y del avance de mis hijos en sus estudios y con el idioma que están aprendiendo. También puedo ayudar a mis papas en Venezuela con lo poco que estoy ganando acá.”

“I am proud of many things. It is not an easy thing to go through a jungle with 5 children and [to] go through more than 7 countries with many children. I am proud to have arrived here and [I am proud of] the progress of my children in their studies and with the language they are learning. Also, I can help my parents in Venezuela with the little I am earning here.”

Deisy

“Yo me siento un poco orgulloso haber tener la valentía de emigrar de mi país.”

“I feel a little bit proud to have had the courage to emigrate from my country.”

Listen to Santiago

“Me siento orgullosa de mi mismo de todo lo que he logrado que nunca pensé hacerlo.”

"I'm proud of myself for everything I have accomplished that I never thought I would."

Listen to Marisol

“La experiencia que he aprendido en el trabajo que tengo hacer muchas cosas pues, limpieza, anda todas esas máquinas industriales de cocina todo eso que no sabía porque son máquinas grandes, una máquina todo esa de las aseo que son industriales.

“That experience that I have learned from work is that I have to do many things. Cleaning involves all those industrial kitchen machines—a lot that I did not know about because they are big machines.”

Listen to Eriko

“La verdad, estoy orgullosa de haber de poder enfrentar todo lo que es el tema de la migración. Yo pienso que ya lo que viene es menos de lo que uno ha pasado. Entonces eso la verdad es un orgullo porque no todo el mundo emigra, no todo el mundo tiene la valentía.

“The truth is I am proud to have been able to face everything that is migration. I think what is coming is less than what I have already gone through. So the truth is I am proud because not everyone emigrates, not everyone has the courage.”