Far from Home

Samantha Diaz Chaparro has only been in the United States for about half of a year, and naturally she misses her family, but around this time of year, it is easy to also miss the local food and traditions. She moved in with her uncles , but she misses the beaches of home, the culture that many tourists visit every year.

“I moved [to the United States] because, here in this country, I have more opportunities to have a career,” said Diaz. “What I like about school is that we have a counselor who helps us, and they worry about us having good grades.”

Once she finishes high school, she plans to stay in the United States and study and then work. She still doesn’t know where she wants to study but she is planning to go to college after she leaves Armijo. She doesn’t plan to move back to Mexico, but said that she might go for vacation.

“I feel very happy to have this opportunity to be someone better in life, to study and to make my parents feel proud of me,” said Diaz.