Local Boy Shares Inspiring Immigration Story After Five Years In Canada
/Life changed at a young age on a whim for Jorge Escalera Arroyo immigrating to Canada but the 11-year-old shared his story in a podcast by New Canadians Centre Peterborough (NCC) last Wednesday.
Arroyo has expressed some interest in streaming video games like Fortnite or Spanish lessons on Youtube in the near-future. Photo Courtesy of Sarai Arroyo.
Arroyo moved from Monterrey, Mexico when he was six after his father received a job opportunity at Quaker Oats Peterborough.
The grade 5 student received an invitation from the NCC to record a 12-minute podcast of his experience living in Canada. He talks about his struggles, adjusting to a new culture and eventually expresses his love for living in Canada.
“I like the community because they’re so kind,” said Arroyo. “People are generous too. I also like the school because I understand it more than Mexico.”
Arroyo highlights his early struggles in school from learning both English and French and being bullied by other students. He credits his teachers for helping him learn them quickly.
He initially had a difficult time since he was learning three languages at once (including his native language of Spanish) and says kids were teasing him for not knowing them well right away.
The Westmount Public School student wanted to share his story to inspire others while the world is under a pandemic.
“I know we’re going through a very rough time,” he said. “I thought if anyone is moving or having a rough time, I wanted to share them my story so they could feel a bit better and know what everybody else is going through.”
Gym is one of Arroyo’s favourite school subjects. He is a big fan of the Canadian dessert, Nanaimo bars. Photo Courtesy of Sarai Arroyo.
He also wanted to spread the message of anyone being open to others about their struggles rather than bottling them up.
“I wanted to let people know if they have something bad (experiences) to say, they should say it to get that pressure off your mind,” he said.
Arroyo says his favourite Mexican food is tamales and is fan of their street food. Photo Courtesy of Sarai Arroyo.
