The speaker, Holly, shares her unique life experiences growing up as a bilingual individual. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, she moved to Mexico at the age of six due to her father's work. After a few years, they moved back to the United States, settling in Tucson, Arizona. Holly attended an English-speaking school in Puebla, Mexico, and later transferred to a high school in Orizaba, Veracruz, after her family relocated to Oaxaca.
Holly's journey with learning Spanish was challenging but ultimately rewarding. She started speaking Spanish with a Mexican accent to better integrate with her peers. Over time, she became fluent and was able to participate in school activities like plays and presentations. She also faced cultural differences in education, such as the emphasis on memorization and dictation in Mexican schools compared to the more individualistic approach in the United States.
Despite feeling accepted in Mexico, Holly was reminded of her foreign status in certain moments. For example, during a game during cultural and sports week, the entire school cheered for Mexico, which initially made her feel isolated and out of place. However, she eventually embraced her dual identity, feeling like "India María, neither from here nor from there."
Holly expresses her gratitude for the opportunity to live in Mexico, learn Spanish, understand the culture, and gain insights into other people's perspectives. She concludes by stating her deep appreciation for her experiences and her ongoing love for Mexico.
1. The speaker, Holly, was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is one of five children.
2. Holly's family moved to San Juan del Río, Veracruz, Mexico, due to her father's work related to the Nahuatl language speakers.
3. After a couple of years in Mexico, they returned to the United States, settling in Tucson, Arizona.
4. Holly started school at Colegio Americano in Puebla, Mexico, where she attended for four years and repeated kindergarten and first and second grades.
5. The family returned to Tucson and then moved to Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico, where Holly attended Leona Vicario public school.
6. Holly's parents moved the family to Oaxaca, Mexico, where she studied the second year of high school.
7. Holly's parents then decided to move to Orizaba, Veracruz, to finish high school. She attended a high school that was also a university called Universidad del Valle de Orizaba or UNIVO.
8. Upon arriving in Puebla, Holly had no knowledge of Spanish.
9. Holly learned Spanish by speaking with her classmates and her father, a linguist.
10. Holly was placed in an all-girls school in Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico, after sixth grade.
11. Holly's teacher, Clarita, taught all classes including natural sciences, mathematics, Spanish, history, and civics.
12. Holly's good grades earned her a spot in the color guard, carrying the flag for the school's ceremonies.
13. Holly made a presentation about the Olmecs, the first great culture of Mesoamerica, at her school in Orizaba.
14. Holly's family moved to Oaxaca, Mexico, and then decided to move to Orizaba, Veracruz, to finish high school.
15. Holly's father, who is a linguist, asked her to learn Spanish, which she did by immersing herself in the language.
16. Holly faced challenges in Mexico, such as being the only foreigner in her school, which led to her feeling accepted and almost like a Mexican.
17. Holly learned to ignore the looks she received from people on the street in Orizaba, Mexico, as she knew they didn't come with any desire to bother her.
18. Holly felt that she was neither normal in the United States nor in Mexico, but she appreciated the opportunity to live in Mexico and learn lessons she would never have learned elsewhere.
19. Holly expressed her love for Mexico and her desire to always carry it in her heart.