CC by-SA 2.0 April 7, 2015 – Little Havana, Miami, Florida.
Before moving to Miami from Brazil my knowledge of the United States was limited to hamburgers, Disney World, and yellow school buses. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I arrived here in the 6th grade, but it definitely wasn’t what I encountered in Miami. When I think of what I know about Miami, it is not a set region that comes to mind but instead how culturally diverse the city is and how I fit into it. It was scary coming into a new country where I did not know the language or customs, however, Miami proved to be a welcoming place where I didn’t have to feel so alone or out of place. One of the first memories of the city I have consists of having my dad drop me off in class on my first day of school, he insisted on taking me all the way to my classroom so I wouldn’t get lost. The teacher only spoke English but she was able to explain to me that all the kids in this class were learning the language and most of them had also arrived in Miami recently. From then on it wasn’t easy but I learned English and survived American public school. Reflecting back, I know how important it was to end up in Miami, a place where so many people from different cultures come to create a new life. This mix of culture is what makes Miami so special for me. I was able to bring a piece of Brazil to this city and could also take with me a beautiful array of cultures that I would’ve never gotten to learn about if I had gone somewhere else in the United States. Seeing how proud Cubans, Venezuelans, Puerto Ricans, and Haitians displayed their culture I felt welcomed and like I belonged here. When thinking about the different areas in Miami I realize that I haven’t explored all that this beautiful city has to offer. I want to learn more about the history of Miami and how immigration played a role in building Miami’s culture. Taking Miami in Miami will allow me to immerse myself in this quest for more knowledge and truly appreciate all that Miami has to offer. I’m especially excited to visit Downtown Miami. I have visited before but am ready to view it through a new lens, hear about how Miami came to be as diverse as it is today, and understand how different cultural groups transformed the city. In my mind, Miami is vibrant with music and colors. It is an explosion of flavors, cultures, and people and is different from any other place I have been to before. As an immigrant, I feel it is important to be able to relate to others especially when new to a country. Miami has given so many people like me the ability to embrace our home culture while still opening up to a new world of opportunities, culture, and knowledge.
Miami in Miami 