What is your ethnicity?

Dulce Gonzalez:
“I’m Hispanic, and I was born and raised in Guanajuato, Mexico.”

Ytzel Palacio:
“I’m Hispanic. I was born in El Paso, but I was raised in Chihuahua, Juarez.”

Wendy Rosas:
“I’m Mexican, and I was born in San Luis Potosí.” 

Heriberto Rivera:
“I’m Hispanic. I was born in El Salvador.”

What do you miss the most about your home country?

Dulce Gonzalez:
“I miss the food, the parties, and what I miss the most is the ranch where I used to live. I loved it; it was a really peaceful place.” 

Ytzel Palacio:
“I’ll say the smell; I know it’s weird but I miss the smell of fresh food made by my grandma.” 

Wendy Rosas:
“I miss having lots of animals. I used to have horses, cows, pigs and sheep.”

Heriberto Rivera:
“I really miss the people that were around in my childhood.”

What does the word culture mean to you? 

Dulce Gonzalez:
“For me it’s something we always have to keep in mind because no matter where we are, it is what makes us who we are.”

Ytzel Palacio:
“For me it means family, basically something that will always keep us together.”

Wendy Rosas:
“It means to have family gatherings; it’s a way to unite us all.”

Heriberto Rivera:
“It means a lot to me like a combination of everything: food, traditions, just things that make us unique.” 

What is it that you love the most about your culture?

Dulce Gonzalez:
“I love the food as well as the gatherings because you can feel the love everyone has for each other.”

Ytzel Palacio:
“Definitely the food, it’s way more seasoned than any food I’ve ever tried.”

Wendy Rosas:
“I like to get together with my family, I really like to spend time with them.”

Heriberto Enriquez:
“I love my traditions and obviously the food.”

Was it difficult to adapt to a new place? What were the struggles you faced?

Dulce Gonzalez:
“It was difficult, especially because I didn’t know the language, and I had to go to school which made it even more difficult.”

Ytzel Palacio:
“It was difficult because I had to leave my family behind, and I had to learn a new language and meet new people. I just couldn’t imagine myself growing up somewhere my family wouldn’t be at.”

Wendy Rosas:
“It was hard. I really struggled with learning a new language.”

Heriberto Rivera:
“Yes everything was so different, especially the school and learning a new language was difficult.” 

What is your favorite food?

Dulce Gonzalez:
“Pozole verde and mole verde.”

Ytzel Palacio:
“Definitely menudo.”

Wendy Rosas:
“I’ll say menudo.”

Heriberto Enriquez Rivera:
“I have to say pupusas.”

What is your favorite tradition? 

Dulce Gonzalez:
“I honestly don’t have one. I like all of the traditions since we make a big deal about all of them. They’re all like a big party. I enjoy every single one of them.”  

Ytzel Palacio:
“It will be Christmas on the 24th. We pray and stay up until midnight to open presents, and we are all together just enjoying each other’s company.”

Wendy Rosas:
“My favorite tradition is el Dia de los Muertos. We always get together and bring back memories from family that have passed away. We just try to make it a good day.”

Heriberto Enriquez Rivera:
“El Día del Niño because when I was a kid I would always get gifts, especially toys. It’s a nice childhood memory.”