My boyfriend’s grandmother came to California from Mexico in 1972 when she was four years old. She came to California with her mother and her siblings looking for new opportunities such as work and freedom. They had family drama and her mother wanted a fresh start in California where she would be able to find better work for herself and support her family. My boyfriend’s grandmother and her siblings went to school while their mother worked. She had a difficult time learning because she didn’t know English very well and no one could speak Spanish to her. This affected her learning in California because of the language barrier. In Mexico everyone knew each other because she grew up in a smaller place. This made her feel uncomfortable and unfitting when she was first in California. Thankfully, her siblings made her feel more comfortable. Her eldest sibling also helped her with her school work interpreting and understanding english better since her mother didn't know english very well either. Her immigration experience was a very important and educational experience to her. She learned many different cultural differences and social differences which changed her life. 

– Nicole Udagawa

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant