Yesenia Negron

I am from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. When someone asks where I’m from, I usually hesitate, pause, and ask myself “Where am I from?” It may not seem like a difficult question for most but for me, it is not that simple. I never really had a place that I called home. I was constantly moving, never staying in a place long enough to get comfortable. I am what many consider a “military brat.” Both of my parents were in the army. Often the job entailed our family getting stationed somewhere different every couple of years or both of them getting deployed overseas, leaving us to move somewhere new with extended family members. It is probably not an ideal way of living for most, but strangely I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. It has shaped me in many ways into the person I am today: outgoing, friendly, humble, worldly, independent, open-minded, family-oriented, experienced, and especially adaptable. When I came to the University of Georgia, the process of moving, adjusting, leaving friends behind, and making new friends came so naturally to me. It was not any different from what I had done nearly 10 times before. I didn’t even realize the imprint being a military dependent left on my life and never truly appreciated it until now. I am grateful to have seen and explored the country. I’ve met so many people, I’ve lost count. Not many people can say that and in a reassuring way, it makes me feel special. I have developed a different perspective on life and never want to stop traveling, meeting new people, learning about different cultures, experiencing a range of lifestyles, and just living a life full of adventure. I hope to take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad here, pursue that dream, and figure out for myself “Where am I from?”