Until recently, Robina Magat lived in the Philippines. “The hometown I came from is crowded,” she said. Magat is from Manila, the capital city, where there is a famous landmark, Malacañang Palace.

On July 27, Magat moved to California with her mother, who had recently married an American citizen, and two of her sisters. Unfortunately, she had to leave her father, her other sister and her friends behind but hopes to see them again soon.

For Magat, it is a temporary relocation. It has not been an easy transition and, like many teens, she dreams of driving and having a job for some extra money. She hopes to return to the Philippines to go to college and then find a job.

In the meantime, she is enjoying some of the perks of being at Armijo. “All of the teachers are kind,” she said. It hasn’t been easy making friends but Magat is making the most of her experience and will have plenty of interesting stories when she returns to her homeland.