Esmeralda Rivera
Esmeralda Rivera鈥檚 favorite memory of her childhood in Guatemala is participating in Semana Santa (Holy Week). The first-year Literature student talked about the traditions she grew to love during her 13 years living in Guatemala at a recent Story Space event.
It鈥檚 a way of not forgetting that part of who you are. I don鈥檛 want to forget my life in Guatemala or the fresh memories of my experiences. It鈥檚 all made me who I am.
I also want to embrace my American half after being away from the United States for so long... I鈥檝e always felt truly at home here, surrounded by my huge family, and I鈥檓 glad I can experience the American culture, as well.
My favorite part of Story Space was just telling the story in general. It took me back 13 years, to when I鈥檇 first moved to Guatemala. And when someone suggested we recreate the tradition here at Stockton, my heart soared. It was such an incredible idea, and I鈥檓 so glad the idea is in the air.
I was so happy that I could share more about my life in Guatemala since it is a small, almost undiscovered country. At least, I feel it is since there aren鈥檛 as many Guatemalans that come to the U.S. as in some other Latin American countries.
Rivera also wants to explore more of her Puerto Rican culture.
There isn鈥檛 much I know about it, although the food is amazing. Nothing beats my grandma鈥檚 food: her arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas) is literally the best!
As for my Guatemalan culture, I am eternally grateful. In the first years of living in Guatemala, I didn鈥檛 appreciate the Guatemalan culture as much since I had a bad first impression. But as I grew older, I realized what a privilege it is to have firsthand experience of Guatemalan traditions and holidays. I鈥檝e learned to appreciate this side of me, and I鈥檓 glad I got to experience enough of it in my years there.
I also want to embrace my American half after being away from the United States for so long. I love Guatemala, and always will, but I felt that it was time to come back. I鈥檝e always felt truly at home here, surrounded by my huge family, and I鈥檓 glad I can experience the American culture, as well.
This Voice was originally published in 2022. At the time of publication, and currently, Rivera was a student in the Literature program. She is also part of the , Stockpot , the Argo and the Stockton .
