12 hours in the air

Hi everyone! My name is Valeria Molina, and I’m from Mexico. I was born in a charming and colorful city called Oaxaca de Juárez, for 16 years I have lived there. 28 days ago, I left everything, my friends, my family, and my country, to start a new stage of my life and follow my dreams. As you know if it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.

Can you imagine sharing your room with a stranger? Or having to make new friends that in the future might be like your family? Right now, I’m writing with a mix of feelings from the famous city of Oxford. I want to tell you a little more about my first days at EF Academy where, for the next nine months, I’ll be living in a boarding school.

When I arrived at the school with my family, we were fascinated. The facade with a Victorian-style that is so picturesque. If you took a picture, it would seem like a postcard. But at the same time, on the inside, it’s modern with crisp lines, and with a simple color palette. In particular, I really love that we are surrounded by nature. Outside of the dorms, we have an area where we can do our homework inspired by the fresh air. If you wake up early and have luck, you can see a deer.

I’m not going to lie; the first hours were the most challenging and difficult. When my family left the school, I felt that something was missing in my life. On the other hand, I felt independence and responsibility. From now on everything runs on my own, if I’m late. Or if I fall asleep. I will have to learn how to organize my time and to find the balance between social life, and school.

After two weeks, I can say that I am really happy with this new lifestyle. I’ve found my own squad of friends, and we spend most of our time together, there is nothing we do without the other. We decided to join the same clubs, and also, we eat every meal as a family. Last Sunday we celebrated Mexican Independence Day, we had a nice celebration cooking and eating guacamole. I always share food with my friends, because to me, my friends aren’t friends. They are sisters, my international family.

The teachers, staff, and houseparents are also amazing. I’m sure that in the future if I need something, they will be happy with me. The houseparents make feel like I’m home. The teachers are supportive, knowledgeable, and patient because they understand that we come from different places. In a few words: they believe in us.

I hope all days will be just as good as these have been!