I was born in Lima Perú. and lived there with my family until the age of 4. I was the youngest of 4, by that time everyone but my sister and I had already gone to the U.S. For 1 year we stayed with our maternal grandparents, I don't remember much from that time; merely fragments of memories, small flashes, flickers, and scraps that once were a complete memory. Understandably of course, how could I be expected to remember anything from that time? But no matter how many times I go back to Perú during the summers I still feel somewhat of a disconnect from my country because of that. I feel that perhaps I am more “American” than Peruvian at times; sometimes I feel a bit ashamed, maybe it has to do with how my mom talks to me about Perú. She’s been here for about 13 years, and while she somewhat did get used to it here she misses living in Perú, I know she’ll eventually move to the house at my grandpa’s home-town in the Andes once all of my siblings and I can support ourselves and I respect that. I think I’d most likely stay in the city for most of my life, I like it here equally as Perú but I feel more comfortable here. Maybe when I’m around 20 I’ll live in my grandpa’s home-town for 2 years to rest. It might change my perspective.

– Handel Gonzales Milla

Relationship:  Im/migrant who arrived as a child Im/migrant who arrived as a child