Interview with Veronica Chavez Teves
Introduction: I picked one of my old friends from high school to interview. Her name is Veronica Chavez Teves. Veronica immigrated to the United States at age sixteen years old. While conducting this interview I have learned more about Veronica’s hardship and what drew her and her family to come to the United States. Through this, I have also learned specific challenges and what has motivated her in life. I took this interview in a Starbucks located in Harrisonburg as she was taking a trip to James Madison University. This interview has allowed me to reconnect with my old friend while reflecting on the journey she has made. While conversing, we reflected on her past and how much she has grown as an individual. Her experiences and journey has shaped Veronica to the person she is today and she is forever grateful for her move to secure a better future.
Summary: Veronica is from Lima, Peru, which is the capital of Peru. She was born there in 2004 alongside her twin brother. She and her family’s past generations have lived there for many years. While living in Peru, Veronica was about to finish her senior year and was already accepted into her dream college near her home. Veronica migrated to Alexandria, Virginia at age sixteen with her twin brother, younger sister and both parents. While there, her family assimilated to the American life and immediately began to work. Although Veronica was taught English at a very young age, she struggled with fast-paced English courses in high school. Veronica was also set back two years as her transcript did not align with Alexandria’s public school systems. Because of this, Veronica had to be set back and had to adapt. She also had to begin to teach her parents a more expansive English vocabulary and slang as well as teaching them the new educational system.While doing this, Veronica had to fill out her siblings’ school paperwork and her parents’ application. Besides this, she adapted to her new high school fast as she was able to make friends with her bilingual peers and was later able to thrive. Veronica quickly found a supportive group of friends, many who helped her navigate her new life in the U.S. This sense of support allowed her to continue strongly in her journey to finish high school. After finishing high school, she got admitted to Virginia Commonwealth University, where she is currently majoring in Biology with a Pre-med minor. Veronica now is doing great in her new school and is working hard to set up a lifestyle with high education and pay to set up for the following generations to come. She plans on settling in the United States and helping out her community with goals in the medical field. Veronica’s dedication to have a set and secure future has allowed her to strive in both her personal and the educational world. Her determination has allowed her to want to give back to her community. Veronica’s pursuit of becoming a doctor has reflected her parents’ sacrifice and hard work.
Migration: Like many others who faced challenges that came with COVID, Veronica’s family struggled during this time. While so, they decided to migrate to the United States for a different educational, healthcare, and work care services. During their time in Peru, Veronica’s family struggled to keep their business alive as the Peruvian economy was declining during COVID. COVID affected many jobs and pay, but in this case, her family decided it was best to close the business and find better opportunities rather then continue with hardship. The decision to move countries was not easy as they had previously decided to move to America years prior but changed their mind due to cultural differences. Hearing about the job market and opportunities in Alexandria, VA made their decision easy as they wanted a more stable lifestyle. In December of 2020, Veronica migrated with her twin brother, younger sister and both parents. While being in Alexandria, Veronica and her twin had to wait until the start of February to enroll in their sophomore year of high school. Having this much free time, she and her twin had to adjust and settle into their new home. Although, at first it was difficult for them to believe they were staying, they felt the shift closer to their official enrollment date. Having to permanently “start over” they felt mixed emotions over the new opportunities to come. After settling in and starting high school, Veronica took over the role as co-parent. While doing so she worked as a translator for her family and had to find a new home to move into as well as filling out applications for her family. Having to do this in the United States made her reflect on her rapid increase of lifestyle for her and her parents. She often looked back on when her parents did not have to depend on anyone, and sometimes it made her feel bad for them, because she thought they were never going to feel part of something again. However, being a translator and having that responsibility motivated her to thrive in their new home. Despite the fact that the process was not easy, Veronica has grown extremely close to her family and considers them her forever home.
Settlement: Veronica’s travel and journey moving into the United States from Peru has allowed her to overcome many challenges. She began settling in the United States to build a new life for herself and family. Immediately after their arrival, they began to work several different jobs to begin a new chapter. These jobs built a good foundation as they allowed exposure of their new surroundings and cultural differences. Nonetheless, Veronica struggles with Alexandria’s educational system compared to the Peruvian one as her old courses were more advanced. Though, through this she continued to stay focused and look at her end goal, succeed in a new country. Veronica’s main concern with her new lifestyle change was the cultural differences aspect. She felt disconnected to her culture and found it difficult to connect with others through differential greets and communication styles. Because of this, Veronica decided to join any Latinx based organization at VCU. She is now involved in the Latinx Student Alliance Organization and a Latinx dance group. Through this, she has made many friendships and bonds with her peers with similar backgrounds and stories. Veronica’s journey has highlighted her determination to succeed. Holding on to her culture while connecting with a new one has allowed her to shine light for her future.
Membership: As per membership, Veronica has been striving to have a strong foundation for herself and future generations to come. While working different jobs throughout high school with me, she is currently a sophomore at Virginia Commonwealth University. There she is majoring in Biology with a Pre-med focus. With this degree in undergrad she is looking into different medical career paths and is leaning towards receiving a doctoral degree. Her motivation towards this degree path comes from the sacrifices her parents have made when they left Peru, their home country, to provide a different future for the success of their children. Veronica and her siblings are very committed and driven to working in a career that not only is their passion but allows them to have a set financial future. She and her siblings want to use the money from their career to retire her parents and build a strong foundation for generations to come. She wants to be financially stable enough that her children do not need to face the same problem as she once did. Veronica is very grateful for the educational and professional opportunities she has had during her time at VCU. She wants to be able to provide and help her community back through her medical degree. Veronica wants to help and motivate others who share a similar story to her. Furthermore, Veronica found a connection to her Peruvian roots through organizations provided by VCU. She is currently using her extracurriculars and academic courses to prepare herself for her aspirations to help back the community. She also shared that her connection to give back and feel the need to provide has been a stronger urge due to surrounding herself with driven peers in her organizations.
Conclusion: In conclusion, Veronica’s move from Peru to Virginia has allowed Veronica to gain many new opportunities and experiences. After going into detail about Veronica’s family’s need to move I was very impressed and intrigued. Her journey and dedication to thrive has been very inspiring. She is continuously working hard to achieve her goals through the difficult challenges that come with it Her dedication to thrive throughout the difficulties her family faced with financial and cultural differences has been very impressive. Her story has shed light on many with hardships through COVID.
Jennyfer: Hi Veronica, thank you so much for doing this interview.
Veronica: Of course.
Jennyfer: I just want to ask about your migration from Peru to United States. How did that process begin?
Veronica: So, why it happened?
Jennyfer: Yes
Veronica: Okay. So it was the start of 2020. Um, it was COVID and it was just like a, a lot happening and for my family, for my parents and over there in Peru, you finish high school kind of early in comparison of here in the U.S. So, um, I was actually my senior year. Um, but it was like 11th grade for me. And also the school year starts, it starts differently. So it starts in March and it ends in December. So I was in 2020, I was going to be a graduate actually from high school. I was graduating.
Jennyfer: Oh okay,
Veronica: Yes. And so I was already like thinking of like where I’m going after high school. And so like COVID technically happened for me during senior year, but in Peru. So I missed out, I missed out on a lot of stuff. It was like very sad for me and it was like, I don’t know, it was just like, it was just like a lot going on and, but I was still like planning on staying in the U.S. and like applying to colleges and I ended up applying actually to a bunch of them and I got into like, Um, and over there for the career I want or like the path I want to follow is, um, like you don’t have to go through a process of like, um, doing Biology first and then studying Pre-med or like applying to a med school. Over there you just, you know, take a test before even you start the Bio major and you get into medical school and you study for like eight years and then after eight years you’re already like a like a doctor and then yes so like i had already gone into like a good school but my parents my dad actually was like at the start of COVID um he had quit his job so to start his new company and and COVID happens right after he quit. And so he couldn’t start the new company. So he didn’t even have that job that he first, like before he got like, you know, he quit. So, um, so he was like without a job. And then my mom, she was working remotely in this other job. So it wasn’t like, we were not like really like having any like actual income as before. So it was like very hard for us, especially with COVID. Like they didn’t, like, how is my dad going to look for jobs? You know?
Jennyfer: Right,
Veronica: So like, Um, he ended up just creating a little business that like, kind of, it was like a, like a delivery business for like, um, fruits and vegetables.
Jennyfer: Mhmm
Veronica: And like, I don’t know, it was kind of, it, it kind of like helped us during COVID and, you know, to pay off like different stuff.But it wasn’t really giving us much of an income to like pay for college. And we were just thinking about like our future and everything. Because over there in Peru you don’t have like FAFSA. You don’t have like, like a lot of aid from, from the government. So, um, We were thinking like, how am I going to go to school?Like, there’s not a lot of scholarships you can apply to either. There is some like public schools you can go to and like what I mean, like, you know, you don’t have to pay to,
Jennyfer: Right
Veronica: But it’s, you don’t have to pay for it, but it’s really hard to get into them. And. And so like, it was just like a whole process. So it was COVID and so the end of the year comes right, December.And yes, the company’s going good. Yes. It’s been like helping us during this whole year of COVID like 2020, but it’s not good enough for, for me to go to college for my brother, my twin to go to college either. So. My parents just thought like I think it’s better if we just move out and like try something else like here in the U.S And we have already like come like to the U.S or like this for like to visit my family Because I have an aunt and my grandma also lives here.So we were just and previous in like previous years, like 2016, we had already tried to like stay here, but we did just didn’t get used to the lifestyle. So we left.
Jennyfer: Oh okay
Veronica: But yeah, so we both moved back to Peru. But now like we’re actually having a reason to leave. And so, yeah, so we had to leave. And I don’t know, I think there’s more job opportunities here than over there in Peru. Um, So we come here. So that’s like the whole reason we came and we like my whole family came. So it wasn’t just me and my brother or nothing. It was just, it was me and my brother and my little sister and both of my parents. And so we get here, I think December 24th of 2020. Um, yeah. So at first it was, you know, Christmas. So like we didn’t have to worry much about like school or anything. And yeah, I don’t know if you want to keep doing this, do you Yeah,
Jennyfer: I remember when we met in high school in Alexandria,
Veronica: Yeah.
Jennyfer: It didn’t seem like you were having like a hard time making friends
Veronica: Uh huh.
Jennyfer: But I did want to ask, how was the process of like adapting to the new school system, And like meeting new friends, and how was the classes for you?
Veronica: Okay, so I remember like coming here in December, right? And so like I didn’t even get into high school right away in January or anything. I, I even remember the day that I, I first started high school here and it was like February 9th. of 2021. And basically I was 16. So I was about to be 17 in March. So, but I came here to the U.S. being 16. Right. And so I didn’t know whether I wanted to go to NOVA (community college) or high school where I met you.
Jennyfer: Right
Veronica: Cause I was like, well, I did graduate in Peru. So I do have my diploma, but I didn’t know I think I needed more, like a year, like one more year to go into NOVA or like college cause I just like, I wanted to get used to what is like, what is school here, what like school looks like here. Also like I didn’t know much about FAFSA or anything, so I didn’t know how to like, if, like I didn’t know just how to pay for college and stuff. So I think like it helped me to, to go back to high school and do one more year. So that’s what, that was my plan, like just do one more year and then. And then go to, like, go to college, right?
Jennyfer: To make the transition easier?
Veronica: Yes. So, um, so what I did was, like, we did, we took, like, when you come here and you’re, like, from another country, um, you go through this process of, like, taking tests to see, like, And of course you have to give your transcript from like the previous schools that you went to.But like you also have to take this test to see like what’s your level in math and English and everything. So that’s when like I came here, I already had like a good level of English. Um, from, from Peru, um, from my school over there. And so I didn’t have much trouble to like, I didn’t do as like, I didn’t do, I wasn’t part of, um, this program. I don’t remember the name. But it was like for people that like couldn’t speak English well, so in high school, some people were part of it, but I don’t remember the name.
Jennyfer: I’m blanking on it too. ESL?
Veronica: ESL. Yes. Yeah. So I didn’t come, I didn’t end up like being part of that program because of my, my good, like, I guess like level of English or whatever.And so, Um, I ended up, I thought I was just going to do one year, but I ended up doing two years and a half. Because, so, um, cause I, cause I came with like not enough, like they didn’t count
Jennyfer: Your credits?
Veronica: Yes. Um, over there in Peru, since we do like a little bit, I think we do, like, the classes we take, they’re a little bit, um, fast paced in some way.
Jennyfer: Yes
Veronica: So, like, biology, you’ll be taking it here in high school, ninth grade. Over there in Peru, you take it seventh grade.
Jennyfer: Oh, okay. That’s very different.
Veronica: Yes. Even though it’s the same, like, topics and stuff. So, when I came here, they were like, oh, no, you need the bio for, from ninth grade, you need this class, this class, this class. So, they ended up putting me in seventh grade. Sophomore.
Jennyfer: Sophomore, when you were supposed to be a junior?
Veronica: Yes. So, um, so it was, I was okay. So that whole process of taking tests, um, given my transcript and everything, I didn’t end up going, I didn’t end up getting into high school until, or like my first day of school until February 9th. And that was already the, like, like, I guess, like, I think it was the second quarter of the year.
Jennyfer: Yes, late into the year.
Veronica: Yeah, uh huh, so it was, I think, the third quarter, I think. Third quarter, or like, yeah, I think, I think third quarter. Right? So, like, yeah. I, yeah, like you said, like, it was easy for me to just make friends because of my, I guess, like, English level or whatever.The classes were not that hard because I had already taken most of those classes. I was just taking them for the credits so they could count here. So it wasn’t, like, really hard to adapt to school, but it was, like, really hard for me to adapt to, like, just, like, the lifestyle here. Um, My parents, well, my dad doesn’t know English at all, like, he has a very basic level, like, very few words.He knows very few words. But my mom, she has a pretty, like, like, like, intermediate, yeah, intermediate level. Like, she can, like, I think, like, enable a conversation. But still, like, they are not able to do as much, as many things as they were in Peru. Like, they, they cannot do a lot of stuff here by themselves. Like, you know. Like, I don’t know, even like signing up for whatever, for like a phone bill or something. I know there’s options in Spanish, but sometimes like, they don’t have Spanish speakers.
Jennyfer: And they make it more complicated in that way.
Veronica: I think like, that’s like a big thing for me that I had to change in my life. I had to step up and be more like, Like a co parent for my siblings.
Jennyfer: You had to be more independent at a young age.
Veronica: Yes. I think like, that’s like a big thing for me that I had to change in my life.I had to step up and be more like, Like a co parent for my siblings. You have to be more independent at a young age. Yes, yes. So that was a little hard for me too because I had like, I don’t know, I had to worry about like, oh, um, my sister’s, um, enrollment in high school, my brother’s too. Cause even though he’s my twin, I always like, I think, you know, like guys, it’s just like a little more, like they get a little more lazy or like, well, not every, every like, you know, guy, but like, at least with my brother, I felt like I was.I had to co parent by myself with my parents. So it was like that. It was like a big change for me. Um, but I think school was like came in as easy. I guess it was just a little like sad that I wasn’t able to And that’s like, that was messing up with my mental health too. Cause I was seeing like how my friends in Peru, like in social media and then like, they were already in college.They were already like in the first year they were already like, you know, they’re about to graduate in like what, five years. And I’m still in high school and I have two more years to go. Like, you know, it was like really hard and like, it was really affecting me and my mental health and being away from everyone and doing COVID too, cause I came 2020, like the end of 2020, but the start of 2021.So like. There was still like a lot of like, you could still do hybrid, like, um, come in person or like stay online. So there wasn’t like, it wasn’t fully in person. So I wasn’t able to meet a lot of people that as I wanted to. So for that summer of 2021, like summer 2021 was really, I just stayed home every day.I got in really. I didn’t like have anyone besides my family, so it was really hard for me and especially just like being away from like my home where I’ve lived like, like 16 years of my life. It was just like, and like my childhood friends and everything. It was just like, I don’t know, it affected really, like it affected me immensely.But then, but then, um, I don’t know, you move on and so you get used to it. I don’t know. I think I’m over it. Like, I’m over the fact that, like, you know, I’m older for the grade that I’m in, but it’s okay. Like, everyone, like, goes through different things in life. So, yeah, that’s how it is.
Jennyfer: And then, you said you came in December, but you didn’t start school until February, like, third quarter.
Veronica: Yes.
Jennyfer: So, like, during that break, How was adapting to like America or like Virginia like how was that for you or like what did you do?
Veronica: Oh, yeah. Okay. So when I came first, I stayed a whole month in my aunt’s house And that was like a thing I used to do all the time when I used to come for like Christmas or like break So I’ve been like, I know where I’m like Virginia since like, I was like five cause I used to come all the time, but living here. It’s just like, it was different because we first like had to like, you know, like that’s another thing I also had to help my parents with. Like I was the one like looking for places to go live, to be more independent outside of my aunt’s house. And both of my parents had already found jobs like super quick.
Jennyfer: Right
Veronica: So like, um, you know, They were working all the time, so I was just staying with my siblings all the time, like, we were finding houses. That’s when, like, we found, like, within, I think, like, a month, we were able to find, like, a little, like, um, It was, like, a, it was, it was, like, a townhouse, and then we moved in there, and then that’s when The school and everything so we first had to like settle down,
Jennyfer: Right
Veronica: So you know, like find a place to live and everything So that was like I guess like it wasn’t too like the first month wasn’t hard because I still felt like I was like in break, so I was I still felt like I was like, oh, I’m just in the U.S. For like
Jennyfer: Just a little bit
Veronica: Yeah, I’m leaving like in two months or like in a month So it didn’t feel like I was leaving here and sometimes I’m like, I’m like sometimes I’m alone like it’s like I don’t know in my dorm or something. And I’m like, am I actually living in the U. S.? Like, I just feel like it’s still hard to like, I don’t know,
Jennyfer: like, adapt to it?
Veronica: Yes. So like for the first I’m going to say for the first the year I felt like I was going to go back to Peru and I was like, this is just a dream or something. So it wasn’t like really like at the start, it wasn’t really hard to adapt because I just didn’t think or in my head, I just, I guess like I wasn’t fully like, um, admitting to myself that I’m living here, you know, that I’m going to stay here for a while.So yeah, so the first month we were just with my family. We’re just like shopping or whatever like thinking We’re just gonna go back, but then like when we moved actually that was like around February 2 That’s when I was like, oh so now we have a house So now I have like a room here and like now this is like coming to a reality to me. So yeah, I think I think it was not until like, um the start of the school start of like me making friends Um, that I realized that I was like leaving here and that’s when it started getting like a little hard.Um, you know, knowing that I just left like my whole life in another country and now I’m like starting new again. And I was supposed to like, you know, go to college and like already like started, I don’t know, like working in my major or whatever. Yeah. But yeah, I think that was like, that’s how it looked like at the start.Mm hmm. Yeah.
Jennyfer: So then once it was like your senior year and all your peers were like applying to colleges and stuff, was that a little bit difficult for you as well, like the process?
Veronica: Yes, cause um, since everyone was like, I didn’t really, I was very confused into what was, how could I become like a doctor here?
Jennyfer: Yeah.
Because I didn’t know you had to be like a bio major or like a healthcare major. And here’s like you can be anything like anything like any type of major
Jennyfer: Mhmm
Veronica: And then you just have the med school as a minor and then you’ll be able to apply to medical school. But that was just a very confusing for me.I was just like, how do you just like choose like class? Like, what if I like chemistry more? What if I like, like, I don’t know what I like. I thought I knew my whole life. Like I, I was just going to apply to medical school, but I guess like you have to do this first. So when like everyone started applying, I was just like, I was just like, I really want to see.like, I cannot go like, really, like, like, very far, especially now that, especially that I haven’t, like, I moved, I moved out from my country and then I barely have people here, you know?
Jennyfer: Yeah, you didn’t want to go far.
Veronica: Yeah, I didn’t want to go farther from home, like, you know, cause home for me will ever be, you know, Peru so like so like I just did I just like at least wanted to have my family close to me, you know, so So I decided to just like apply to a college that it was in, Virginia Even though I try applying to like other colleges I was just like I don’t think I’ll be able to like just leave my family like that.Yeah I don’t think I’m gonna ever go back You know, so, um, so I started applying to like colleges here in Virginia and like closer to them. And yeah, so like, um, when like my, my, like, I guess my, like, my peers were like, um, applying. I didn’t like, I haven’t like, When I came, when I moved here, I had found like a group of friends, you know, and that’s when I met you,
Jennyfer: Yes
Veronica: But like, I, I don’t know, it was just like, too soon for me to like, think that, think of them as like, um, really close to me, even though like, we spend like a lot of time together, I don’t know, I just like,
Jennyfer: It just wasn’t enough time?
Veronica: Yeah, I guess so, yeah, it wasn’t like, enough time, because for the first, like, the, the last part of sophomore year, Since I was just there like, what, four months or five months? Um, since like, I started school February, right? So it was just like five months. And so like, I didn’t meet anyone sophomore year. But junior year was like the, like the year that I started meeting more people. And it was just like, I think we just had, what, like, One whole year or like two years together and then everybody like left, right? Yeah, so it was like those little friends that I had just made for like a little bit are just like gone already So it was just like a lot of change too soon for me.
Jennyfer: Right.
Veronica: It was just like okay now I finished another half of my life like another little part of my life Like a chapter. So I’m leaving again and I’m like leaving and starting a new chapter again But now by myself like now I’m just going and my brother didn’t even go he doesn’t even go to the same school as me Like so it was just gonna be like even harder, you know So I was just like I didn’t think back then that it was gonna be like harder Like it was going to be hard, but once I like moved out from home, even though my parents, it was like very hard for them too. So like the first semester of like freshman year in like college, it was just like, A lot of change, not only like leaving home, but also like my parents just, they, you don’t do that in Peru. Like in Peru, my parents just don’t think that’s like, right. Like my parents, like my in Peru, you don’t, since like colleges are very close to like, um, Lima is like a capital where it’s very centralized.So like there’s all the colleges are like in Lima city. So even like the farthest college will be like, what, like a 20 minute drive, maybe. Like a 30 minute drive, but it was, it was like, it was not going to be that far. So like people don’t have to come, like, they don’t have to stay.
Jennyfer: Oh, so they just commute.
Veronica: Yeah. They just commute.
Jennyfer: So it was explaining to your parents, moving to college, was that a hard thing to do?
Veronica: Yeah. Um, well it wasn’t really like explaining to them. Like they knew, I feel like all along it was just like when it happened, it just like, it like took them by surprise, I guess. Like they just didn’t, um, they just didn’t realize that they were going to like.They were just gonna like, um, I guess they didn’t realize at that point that they were losing us in this like, in like a way, you know?
Jennyfer: Yeah.
Veronica: Because it was not only me, but it was gonna be my brother and me, so it was just gonna be my little sister with them. So, it was also hard on them, like, I don’t think there’s ever been a break that my mom hasn’t cried the day before leaving again.So it’s just like, also like, Keep like, you know, change and change and change and it’s been like change and change every single day I feel like since I moved out that day from Peru like since I came here.
Jennyfer: Yeah, and that hasn’t been easy on you.
Veronica: Yeah, um, I don’t know. It has been like it’s like hard because I don’t know. Oh my god, not me getting emotional.
Jennyfer: I’m sorry.
Veronica: But like it’s like I don’t know. It’s been yeah, it’s been hard. But I mean you get used to it in a way you kind of like try to move on from it and try to see so I feel like something that has helped me a lot is just think about like, like my future and I’m doing this for my future and also like my parents like they, I feel like If they didn’t have me or like my brother, they wouldn’t have left Peru.
Jennyfer: Right.
Veronica: You know, cause they could have just like worked something out. But because we had to go to college and because they couldn’t pay for college over there in Peru, like we had to come here. And so they, Why we kind of, I kind of feel like they had to, also they sacrificed their whole life, you know, like they’ve like, they’ve lived longer in Peru than me.
Jennyfer: Yeah.
Veronica: So that means they, they’re also living like my, my dad, for example, my dad has the, um, my whole family side for my dad, not a single person from my family side.For my dad’s side is here in the US. So my dad had to leave like his mom his sisters. You know everyone here.
Jennyfer: Yeah, all his family
Veronica: But my mom like she has her mom here So like I mean, I’m not trying to compare them to compare them. But like it’s just like like both of them had to sacrifice a lot to come here for us, you know So like it’s really hard to not like think about that when I’m like here I guess like trying to like, um get a degree or whatever and it’s like, I don’t know It’s like a lot to think about and yeah, so like, um Yeah, so like when you think about like all the sacrifices your parents have made. You think about like how much effort you have to put in too for them, you know Yeah, because you don’t want to you don’t want their sacrifice
Jennyfer: To go unnoticed.
Veronica: Yes.
Jennyfer: Thank you for sharing. Now that you’re a sophomore and you look back on all your times. Are you glad that your family came to, um, Alexandria from Peru? Or is there sometimes that you reflect back and you’re like, I wish we didn’t come here or?
Veronica? Yeah, um, I think, honestly, um, I don’t really know how to answer that question, but like, um, I don’t know, like, I feel like sometimes, yes, I think like, oh, what have we been like. Why would my life look like if I wouldn’t have left Peru, you know, but I feel like I, I, um, Um, I try not to think about it. But like if I think about it now that I’m thinking about it, um,
Jennyfer: You don’t have to go into it if you don’t want to, that’s very deep
Veronica: Yeah, but like, I think, I mean, I can go, I think I know how to answer the question.Um, wait, so like, wait, can you ask the question again?
Jennyfer: It’s just like, now that you’re a sophomore, do you ever look back and you’re like, grateful that your parents came here? Or do you sometimes like, reflect back and like, what would have my life been like?
Veronica: Yeah, I think I’m thankful because, um, even though it’s hard, even like, Even like now, being more fluent in English than when I came here four years ago, um, I think I wouldn’t be the person that I am today if I hadn’t gone through all those changes in my life.And I’m like happy with who I am right now. So I think I’m very thankful for all of this that happened, even though it was very hard for me to get through it. And I think those changes and those like, Experiences that I went through coming here and just like, you know, having to go through all of like, I don’t know, like from, I don’t know, from like moving in, from, and like getting into college here, leaving a school that I wanted, like, that I want to, like, there was one of my dream schools over there in Peru, like all the, it, All those changes made me the person who I am today, and I am like, I’m proud of who I am, I’m proud of who I am right now, and I’m like, happy with like, the people that I’ve met right now, and I feel like I wouldn’t change that for nothing, like, I wouldn’t change that for like, for, so, I wouldn’t change that, I feel like that has made me who I am right now, like who I am today, so I think, I’m thankful for my parents to like, have sacrificed all of that, and I don’t think I will ever like, regret it.
Jennyfer: Yeah, of course. That’s so sweet. Do you ever like reflect on like your future and like are excited about applying to grad school and like are you thinking of still staying in state or do you ever think about going out?
Veronica: Um, so like I think I’m a very, I will ever, I will forever be very very dependable from my parents. I don’t know. I feel like since I’ve been working with them, like, working with them, like, you know, like, I don’t know, um, as a co parent, I guess, I’ve been, I’ve been coming closer to them so much that I don’t think I’ll be able to, like, leave, like, just, like, leave to another state. At least, I Yeah, like they they’re even talking about like moving moving out with me to wherever I want to go. You know like because I really like I was thinking about New York for like grad school, you know.
Jennyfer: Mm hmm
Veronica: And they even want to go to New York with me like they’ve said like wherever you want to go. Like we’ll go, you know, so it’s like I don’t know.It’s like I don’t think it’s more, I don’t see it, I know more, like, most people see it as like, being more independent, just like, getting out there, just like, leaving your family, and everything, and that’s like, totally cool, like, I feel like, I respect that, like, that takes a lot of guts, and like, I don’t know, but I just feel like, my parents depend on me so much, and it’s not even like, I don’t like that they depend on me, I like it, and I feel like, if, If they’ve sacrificed so much for me, why can I not sacrifice this little independency, you know?
Jennyfer: Yeah.
Veronica: To like, for them. So I think, uh, I don’t think I will ever like, move out, out, out until like, I get married. Yeah. So like, um, yeah, like I want them. I mean, I’m not saying I’m not even independent, like I feel very independent right now. And like, I, even, even at my house, I feel very independent. Like I do my stuff like they, like, it’s not like I’m dependent on them. I feel like they depend on me too, a little bit, like, you know, they’ll always, they’ll always need someone to like, translate this for them. My mom will always look for me me, helpful. It’s like, I don’t know, like finding the right shade in their hair, makeup, or this and that, or like her makeup, look for parties and stuff.And like, I feel like if I don’t mind helping them and like, I think we’ve, we have a really close relationship. And so, yeah. So, um, thinking of like grad school, thinking about like. What’s my future here? I’m very excited because I know I’m like staying here in VCU, in VCU like for years and I’m even like, I think I was, I wanted, I wanted to apply to the medical school here in VCU, at VCU and if not, maybe New York, but I know wherever I go, they’ll come, you know, like they’ll follow me.
Jennyfer: So I’ll always have them. That’s so sweet. I love that. I feel like I’ve heard a lot of similar stories with people who immigrated here that their families together. Um, and because of that, you said earlier that your major is Bio with like Pre-med. So do you think your career in the future has been reflected on your immigration here or has it been something that you’ve been wanting to do since Peru?
Veronica: Well, it’s been something that I’ve been wanting since Peru, but I think the path I want to take now is, um, it’s changing, um, because of where I am because, um, in Peru, I just wanted to be, uh, well, I knew I wanted to be a doctor since I was very little. And In Peru, I was actually applying to medical school and that’s how I got into medical school in Peru and everything. But, um, when I came here, I knew I wanted to keep, like, thinking of being a doctor, but now having, like, this, all this paths of, like, cause here in the U. S., at least in Peru, they don’t explain as much as, like, you know, physician assistant. They don’t explain like MDs, like stuff like that. Um, they just say, oh, you’re a doctor, you’re a nurse, you’re this or that.Like, but here it’s like, oh, you can be this, or this, or this, or even this. So it’s like a lot more stuff. I feel like there’s more opportunities and more over here. At least like they show it more here in the U. S. so, I think, I do want to, I know that I wanna stick to being a doctor. But, I know there’s other stuff I can also look into like as like a physician assistant or maybe like an MD on something or even, you know, so I think I don’t know yet where am I gonna end up being, but I know that at least for now it’s, um, yeah, I want to be a doctor. I still don’t really know what type of doctor like I’m not 100 percent sure, but it’s something that I’ve been thinking about.
Jennyfer: Mm hmm. Yeah. And I wonder if, back on something that you said earlier, too, because you said, um, whatever you decide to do, you want to, like, do it to provide financial stability for your family as well.
Veronica: Yes.
Jennyfer: Has that been something that was influenced?
Veronica: Yeah, definitely. Um, I think, um, well, this is even something is this a little, a little like, a little, like something funny that me and my siblings, we joke about. Um, you know, the other day we’re just like, I think it was like last, um, like it was summer before COVID. Starting this semester, actually. We were like, you know, like, let’s lock in this semester. We got it. You know, like, um, my sister’s a junior in high school. My little sister, she’s a junior in high school right now. Um, and she’s like, you know, doing this, like, governor school. So she’s already going to George Mason. Like, she’s taking some classes in, like, college already. Yeah, so I feel like we were like, we all three are very, like, I guess like, motivated because of our, like, story and everything. Um, and I don’t know, my parents too, they’ve always pushed us to be like, very, like, stay on track in school. They’ve, my dad, he’s very, um, he’s very, he’s a little harsh on grades and a little like, if some people can get A’s, then why can you not? You know what I mean? But, um, I think there’s also other stuff that come into, into the equation, like, you know, how you are as a person, how you feel, like, your mental health and everything. So, there’s some things that I would never, like, would never be, um, agree with my dad or, like, my mom, but, like,
Jennyfer: They have different standards than you.
Veronica: Yeah,. But as to your question, I feel like, um, yeah, like, definitely, like, I feel like if we did, if we had the financial stability from Peru, I don’t think we’ve ever moved. So I feel like that’s something that I want to have in my life, in my future. Like, I want to be financial stable, so like, I don’t have to be. I don’t have to, you know, sacrifice so much in my later life or like in my future or like put in, put at risk, not put at risk. I’m like, that’s not the word. Like, I don’t know, I guess like change my kids lives. Like so random, you know, like, and I’m not saying like my parents are like mean or like bad for doing that or anything. No, actually like, but it’s like, you know, like I feel like I, The path I chose, it’s not only, it doesn’t only come with, with the things, the thing I want to do, like, you know, as to like help people and just like be, I don’t know, like a doctor and like help people, right? It also comes with like that financial stability that I want.
Jennyfer: Yeah. so,
Veronica: Yeah, definitely it has impacted like my future and has impacted what I want to do in my future. Um, what happened and everything and, oh, the, sorry, I like, I didn’t say the little joke I was about to say for my siblings, but basically during the summer, like, I think the last dinner we had all together before moving, everyone moving out, oh, not everyone moving out, but me and my brother, we were moving out, right?
Jennyfer: Yeah
Veronica: We were like, okay, so like 10 years from now, we’re going to make a bet who makes the most money, but like, it’s just something that keeps them motivated, you know? And so like my brother, he’s a mechanical engineer major. I’m like a Bio Pre-med and my sister, she wants to go into, um, I think engineering or like with finance or something. And yeah, so like we all like, I guess like we want that financial stability and we know it. So, yeah, and I think it’s because of that thing that happened to us, you know, moving out and everything. And actually, like, I want to share something. I know, like, it’s not like, I don’t think you’ve asked me this, but like, I just want to share it.I think something funny that, um, so I’ve always talked in Spanish with my family, every single member of my family, because we’ve lived in Peru and that’s our first language. So, yeah, but this year actually, Um, me and my sister, we started talking in English a lot and I’m like, it’s just so weird to me to talk to her in English, but since now we’re leaving in like, you know, in the U S and we I guess we just talk in English with like all of our friends. She has her friends that she only talks in English with. And I have my friends that I only talk in English with. It’s just like, now we talk in English. And, you know, it’s a little like secret language, kind of, because my parents don’t know that much English. But like, yeah, I just never thought that. Do that with my little sister. I was just I never expected it and I don’t do it with my brother. For example, my brother like he, we don’t we will never. I don’t know. It’s just like, yeah, maybe it’s just something that we don’t know.
Jennyfer: You know, I always hear you and each other speak Spanish.
Veronica: Yeah, we only speak Spanish. But like my little sister, though, we all, we’ve, only been speaking English and we sometimes switch it up. We do like we do English and Spanish like like back and forth back and forth. But we’re very fluent on both. So like so like we just switch it up sometimes and we just start like sometimes even on text and everything So, I don’t know. It’s just like something it’s just like now it’s feeling real, you know I know it’s a little late like after four years,
Jennyfer: But that makes sense,
Veronica: Yeah, but it’s like feeling real like oh, I’m actually like having a life right now like in the U.S like I’m not in Peru anymore.
Jennyfer: So now what do you say? You’re more comfortable with speaking English or Spanish?
Veronica: Oh, um, I don’t know I feel like Spanish will always be. Well, I will always be more fluent in Spanish. I will always like I don’t want to say I’m too different. That’s another thing. I don’t want to say I’m two different people in every language. Like I’m not, I’m not a, I feel like I try to be myself in both languages. But there’s some slang words that I cannot say in English and I can say it in Spanish. Like when I hit myself, when like I accidentally, like when I, like my, I hit myself with something or something. Like I say like, Uh, like a word in Spanish. Right. Like I even count, when I’m like doing math problems or something, I count it in Spanish. I think of it in Spanish, but like it comes, I have to, I have to write it in English. I don’t know, I feel like Spanish has been in my life, since it’s my first language and everything, I feel like it has been in my life so long that I will ever say that I’m more comfortable speaking in Spanish. Because it comes to me, like, easily. Um, but because I haven’t been practicing a lot, I feel like I’ve been losing a lot of my fluent
Jennyfer: fluency?
Veronica: Yeah, fluent. Yeah, fluency. But yes, I feel like I’ve been losing it a little bit. But I will ever, I will forever say I’m more comfortable speaking it Well, maybe that could change in the future after I graduate after I have my degree and everything I think because I’m gonna be working in English and like having more surroundings in English. Yes, but for now I I actually like now thinking like, you know, every day you think, Oh, what have I talking to Spanish today? Yeah, like, um, since. If I don’t call my parents, I don’t have to talk in Spanish. So like, I try to, you know, keep listening to music in Spanish and everything. So to keep the language there.But, yeah, I think I’m more, I’m more comfortable, like I’m more fluent in Spanish and more comfortable talking in Spanish, I think. I think I’m more myself when I’m in Spanish.
Jennyfer: When you’re talking in Spanish. Yeah. That makes sense. Yeah. Well, thank you so so much for your time, Veronica. I really appreciate it.
Veronica: Thank you.
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