My Travel Memoires

The day my mom told me we were moving abroad is etched in my memory. I had barely ventured beyond a few Colombian cities, and suddenly, I was packing my life to move to Venezuela. It felt like a leap across the world for my 14-year-old self. Leaving behind my friends, our mischievous adventures, and the comfort of familiarity wasn’t easy.

Adjusting to a new life was overwhelming. School, people, even family dynamics felt foreign. I was the only Colombian at my school, which earned me some attention—a mix of curiosity and novelty. Coming from a reserved all-girls Catholic school to a coed, Caribbean-style environment was a shock to my system, but one that eventually made me blossom. The vibrant culture, boisterous laughter, and warmth of my peers slowly drew me out of my shell.