Imagina mudándote. Ahora, imagina mudándote a un país nuevo donde el clima, escenario y especialmente el lenguaje son completamente diferente a lo que estás acostumbrado.

If you had trouble understanding the previous words, welcome to the current lives of six new students here.

“I think other students should picture themselves in another country, not knowing the language and how they would feel having to be in a high school in which all of the kids spoke Spanish,” said Anne Pipkin, English as a Second Language teacher. “Also, how they would appreciate it if the kids in that school would help do whatever they needed assistance with. They should just put themselves in their shoes.”

Pipkin has been working with the students to help further develop their English skills. Each child is unique, so she must make sure she handles each student’s case individually.

“First of all, I try to make the lessons interesting to the students,” Pipkin said. “I try to find what they’re interested in and gear the lesson toward them. (Since) they all come from different countries and educational backgrounds, I adapt my expectations (of their work) based on where they are with their learning.”

All students learn differently and struggle with different things, such as freshman Eduar Ochoa, a 16-year-old from Honduras. He enjoys playing soccer and listening to rap and rock music. For him, writing is the hardest part of the English-learning process. Being apart from his family does not make things any easier.

“The thing I miss most is my family, since I’m only here with my dad,” Ochoa said. “I wish I could spend more time with them, but I’m here now, so I’ve got to focus on studying. I also miss my school and the fact that back home, everyone spoke Spanish.”

Sophomore Yeison Romero, a 17-year-old from Guatemala, also misses the rest of his family. He spends his free time listening to rock music, playing drums and working to improve his family’s life back home. His father is the only one with him in Dare County.

“I hope to do something with my life, to help my family so they don’t have to suffer,” Romero said. “I was happy when I was with them, and now that we’re apart, I just want to make sure I find a good job and further expand my English for their benefit. I want to help them be able to study so they can endure less of a strain.”

Not everyone has to go through experiences like these alone. Freshman Anibal Argueta came to the Outer Banks with his sister Jasmín from Honduras. At 14 years old, he enjoys listening to classical music, playing soccer and watching horror movies. Anibal mainly misses his friends, since he spent most of his time with them. He struggles most with simply understanding the English language but is glad his sister is here with him.

“The best part of having my sister with me through this whole experience is simply that she’s always there to help,” Anibal said. “Whenever I need something, whether it be help with homework or there’s something I need to borrow, I know I can count on her.”

When Jasmín, a 17-year-old sophomore, is not helping her brother, she spends her time reading, writing and watching anime. Back home, she played soccer and boxed. Though she misses practicing those sports, she does not miss the dangers that were prominent in her country.

“I really like the fact that I can sleep in peace,” Jasmín said. “Things were just too dangerous in Honduras to have that luxury.”

The differences between countries take some getting used to. Sophomore Fabricio Curi from Peru is 16 years old and plays guitar and basketball. His favorite subject is Chemistry and favors action movies. He is still getting used to not only writing in English, but U.S. customs as well.

“Back home, it’s a lot easier to go out with just your friends,” Curi said. “Here, it seems like it’s prohibited to go anywhere without an adult.”

When outside of school, 17-year-old junior Manuel Rodríguez from El Salvador, plays a little bit of soccer. He misses pupusas, a native food, and the rest of his family. Additionally, he is grateful to the other students that attend FFHS for being so kind.

“I want to learn English and just have my mom here with me,” Rodríguez said. “I’ve noticed that even though we’re not from this country, racism isn’t as prevalent here as in other places. I just want to thank everyone for being so welcoming.”

Send comments to vallejo0823@daretolearn.org