Jinlin Chen

“When I first moved to the United States from China at age nine, I couldn’t speak any English. Every day at school felt overwhelming. I didn’t know what the teacher was saying, and I couldn’t talk to my classmates. Some people laughed at me or stared when I didn’t understand. I remember feeling so uncomfortable and depressed, especially when I got in trouble for things I didn’t even realize I was doing wrong. There was a time with a security guard where I couldn’t explain myself, and my friends had to jump in and say, ‘He doesn’t understand English, but we can explain.’ I never forgot that. Luckily, I had a great support system, [this included] my family, friends, tutor, even translation apps. I would mimic how my friends talked and practice as much as I could. By 6th grade, I could speak and write fluently. I’m really proud of that. I learned that challenges won’t last forever if you don’t give up. Looking back, I used to blame my parents for moving us, but now I’m grateful. I’ve gained so much from this experience; confidence, resilience, and real appreciation for what my family gave up to be here. If someone is going through what I did, I’d tell them, don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s not easy, but it gets better.