“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way,” by Frank Smith. Entering the age of 8, you’re at an age of growth and learning new things. Turning 8 years old meant for me the opportunity to go to Mexico, to visit my family who were living there, and to learn about my culture. I wasn’t alone, thankfully, because my two sisters were there, but it felt like I was alone due to not comprehending Spanish well enough to communicate fully with my family. It can’t be helped that there are language barriers between me and my family, but what can be improved is learning about my culture to find ways to understand what my family is saying and other forms of communication. It was an adventure for 8-year-old me to learn more about my family and discover more about myself.

Birthdays are full of celebration, surprises, and gifts. My family surprised not only me but also my sisters with the news that we were going to Mexico. We were both happy and confused when we heard about the trip. The confusing part was how we would enjoy the experience if we couldn’t communicate. We hadn’t been taught much except for the little bit of Spanish we picked up from speaking with our parents and family around the house but it didn’t stop us from still wanting to go. It marked the beginning of a new and exciting experience, but also the start of a challenging new subject named Spanish, which I would have to learn while living there. During that summer trip, I met my grandparents, who hosted a welcoming party attended by numerous family members. The absence of the English language left me with no recollection of the greetings exchanged, overwhelmed by this unfamiliar language. Following my older sister’s lead, I tried to understand and communicate with actions, like pointing at food and drawing. This is how I communicated for two weeks. Upon returning home I was interested in learning Spanish, I continued learning with my parents’ encouragement. They started using more Spanish at home to familiarize my siblings and me with the language. Over the summers, I visited my family in Mexico, gradually improving my ability to express myself and understand their conversations. As I grew older and school grew more demanding, visits became less frequent. Fortunately, my bilingual school provided an opportunity to further my Spanish skills in speaking, writing, and listening.

I have learned that many Hispanic or Latino children of the first generation don’t learn their language due to limited resources or lack of educational support. There were things I didn’t understand before because I was too young, and also aspects I didn’t fully appreciate in terms of their significance. Having acquired new languages and immersed myself in a different culture, it has broadened my perspective, allowing me to see more of the world. This experience has proven beneficial not only in terms of cultural enrichment but also in education.As I continued to learn and practice Spanish, I discovered its potential to open up job opportunities, as many employers seek bilingual individuals to better communicate with customers who speak only one language fluently. Given the cultural diversity in the United States, there will always be language barriers to navigate. 

Today, I am capable of engaging in full conversations with my family in Mexico through FaceTime. I am hopeful that this year, I will have the opportunity to return to Mexico and showcase my improved Spanish skills while reminiscing about the conversations to share with my parents. Putting in the effort to learn a new language can be beneficial not only for oneself but also for those who face language barriers within their families and in their daily lives.