My family's immigration story starts when my parents decided to participate in our country’s visa lottery. This meant 6-year-old me needed to get a new passport picture taken. So I did (see images attached) when we got accepted and my family realized we would utilize these passports it all seemed too hectic and surreal. I remember being puzzled as to why everyone was so sad on a sunny afternoon in my catholic primary school, I didn’t realize it was the last time they'd get to see me again. When I said goodbye to my family members at the airport I remember thinking I was going on vacation and I’d see everyone soon enough. 


Last year was the first time I went back since I left. I got to see my family and everyone was ecstatic to enjoy ourselves as a family again. I realized what a completely different life I had left behind and my parents had left behind, both of my parents are surgical dentists, and they had their own practice in Bolivia. My parents here had to find whatever jobs they could to provide my sister and me with everything we needed and they always did. But I think about what if we hadn’t moved, if we never got a visa and my parents still worked in their professions but I realized we would have never gotten to experience all that I already have without their sacrifice. Might as well make it worth it. 

– GG

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant