Sesame Street - Ernie

In Fun
Relationship: Im/migrant
Partner:

I came to the US from Colombia when I was 2 years old. Growing up, we only spoke Spanish at home. When I entered Kindergarten I stopped speaking. I would not speak at school or at home. My mother brought me to the doctor and he said that I was not speaking because I was confused. Coming from an all Spanish environment and going into an all English environment was a confusing and abrupt transition. To help ease the transition from home to school I began watching Sesame Street. My favorite character was Ernie because he was a rambunctious boy, like I was. Not only did watching the segments with Bert and Ernie entertain me, they helped introduce more English into our household. 

Place(s): Colombia, New York

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant