Juan Carlos
I was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador. I got a degree in economics in Ecuador and recently got my Master’s of Education at the University of Alabama. Even though I got a degree in economics, I haven’t worked in the field, but I have worked in education for over 20 years. I got to work in the field of education because I was an athlete, specifically an in-line roller hockey player when I was in college, so eventually, I began to coach young children. Over the years in this sport, I had the opportunity to go to Calgary, Canada to participate in an ice hockey clinic and also became an In-Line Roller Hockey International referee.
Coaching hockey led me to work in an American private school in Quito. They hired me as a coach and later invited me to join the athletic department to teach physical education. Over the years, I became the Service Programs Coordinator, Dean of Students, and Student Life Coordinator. This is how I got into the field of education, and I’ve really loved my new career.
I came to the Fargo-Moorhead area in the summer of 2014. My first winter here was not easy. I was not ready for it, so I was affected by the darkness and extremely low temperatures that didn’t allow me to do the outdoor activities I was used to doing. That first winter was a learning experience, so I got ready for the next years, and now I can say I really love winter. I have found winter activities to do, like ice hockey, cross-country skiing, taking outdoor photos in the park, or just walking in the parks. I dress for the weather.
Some people asked me how I learned to play ice hockey. They find it very interesting that a person from Ecuador plays ice hockey instead of soccer. In the early 2000s, Canadian oil companies came to Ecuador, and they decided to design and build a small ice rink. They were looking for people to work there, so I applied and got hired. That’s where I learned to ice skate. When I first came here, I was looking for an ice hockey team to join and play on. There was one night that I went to a local arena, and I decided to just go to the locker room and knock on the door. They were surprised to see me there because I am not Caucasian, and it was hard for them to believe that I knew how to play the sport. I introduced myself and told them I was new to the area from Ecuador. At first, nobody said anything. Finally, one guy asked, “Do you know how to skate?” and I told them that I did. Another one said, “Don't you play soccer down there?” and I told them that soccer is a very popular sport, but I don't play soccer. They eventually said that I could join them, and I’ve been playing with that group ever since. They were open to me, and we all became good friends. It is such a great group of people. They are friendly, respectful, and caring.
A huge difference I’ve seen between here and Ecuador is the sense of community people share. I feel like I am part of this community, and I work not only for myself but also to support my community. I also like that the people here are very friendly and respectful. In my country, you are friendly with those you consider friends, but you cannot say hello to strangers, as it is not usual and can be seen as suspicious.
I haven't had any problems due to my skin color or origin. People in the Fargo-Moorhead area have been very respectful and nice to me. I consider myself a person who respects the rules, is willing to learn from other cultures and lifestyle and adjusting to it. I like to contribute to the community by following and respecting others. In the US, a misconception about immigrants is that they have no good education or skills, and that has become the stereotype. I wish people could see that not everybody fits into that stereotype.
Before I moved here to live, I had visited the United States, so I was familiar with the culture and how things work here. Obviously, living here is totally different because I have been able to see more details and learn more about how the system works. Since I was working at an American School in Quito, they used to celebrate many American traditions because most of the teachers working there were from the United States and Canada. Bringing in American traditions like Thanksgiving helped the staff and teachers feel at home, so I was exposed to American culture before I moved to the US. I don’t really celebrate the Ecuadorian traditions and culture anymore. There are many traditions in Ecuador, and I like them. I like the Ecuadorian culture, architecture, scenery, mountains, stories, and folklore, but I don't celebrate them. I am not against them, but it's simply not part of my life.
I live here in Fargo with my family, but my Ecuadorian relatives live in Ecuador. My daughter, Samar, was born in Ecuador and has dual citizenship, and my young son, Zander, was born here in Fargo. I’m trying to raise my kids bilingual, but the environment around them is an English-speaking environment. I can tell that their first language is English, but I am encouraging them to learn Spanish. I am teaching them, and they are learning. However, I know I need to emphasize the Spanish language so they become fully bilingual.
I consider myself an open-minded person, and I'm willing to adjust and enjoy the new conditions. I can say that I consider both countries home. I miss some things about my country, but it is not hard for me to live here. I love this area, its people, and the culture.
Coaching hockey led me to work in an American private school in Quito. They hired me as a coach and later invited me to join the athletic department to teach physical education. Over the years, I became the Service Programs Coordinator, Dean of Students, and Student Life Coordinator. This is how I got into the field of education, and I’ve really loved my new career.
I came to the Fargo-Moorhead area in the summer of 2014. My first winter here was not easy. I was not ready for it, so I was affected by the darkness and extremely low temperatures that didn’t allow me to do the outdoor activities I was used to doing. That first winter was a learning experience, so I got ready for the next years, and now I can say I really love winter. I have found winter activities to do, like ice hockey, cross-country skiing, taking outdoor photos in the park, or just walking in the parks. I dress for the weather.
Some people asked me how I learned to play ice hockey. They find it very interesting that a person from Ecuador plays ice hockey instead of soccer. In the early 2000s, Canadian oil companies came to Ecuador, and they decided to design and build a small ice rink. They were looking for people to work there, so I applied and got hired. That’s where I learned to ice skate. When I first came here, I was looking for an ice hockey team to join and play on. There was one night that I went to a local arena, and I decided to just go to the locker room and knock on the door. They were surprised to see me there because I am not Caucasian, and it was hard for them to believe that I knew how to play the sport. I introduced myself and told them I was new to the area from Ecuador. At first, nobody said anything. Finally, one guy asked, “Do you know how to skate?” and I told them that I did. Another one said, “Don't you play soccer down there?” and I told them that soccer is a very popular sport, but I don't play soccer. They eventually said that I could join them, and I’ve been playing with that group ever since. They were open to me, and we all became good friends. It is such a great group of people. They are friendly, respectful, and caring.
A huge difference I’ve seen between here and Ecuador is the sense of community people share. I feel like I am part of this community, and I work not only for myself but also to support my community. I also like that the people here are very friendly and respectful. In my country, you are friendly with those you consider friends, but you cannot say hello to strangers, as it is not usual and can be seen as suspicious.
I haven't had any problems due to my skin color or origin. People in the Fargo-Moorhead area have been very respectful and nice to me. I consider myself a person who respects the rules, is willing to learn from other cultures and lifestyle and adjusting to it. I like to contribute to the community by following and respecting others. In the US, a misconception about immigrants is that they have no good education or skills, and that has become the stereotype. I wish people could see that not everybody fits into that stereotype.
Before I moved here to live, I had visited the United States, so I was familiar with the culture and how things work here. Obviously, living here is totally different because I have been able to see more details and learn more about how the system works. Since I was working at an American School in Quito, they used to celebrate many American traditions because most of the teachers working there were from the United States and Canada. Bringing in American traditions like Thanksgiving helped the staff and teachers feel at home, so I was exposed to American culture before I moved to the US. I don’t really celebrate the Ecuadorian traditions and culture anymore. There are many traditions in Ecuador, and I like them. I like the Ecuadorian culture, architecture, scenery, mountains, stories, and folklore, but I don't celebrate them. I am not against them, but it's simply not part of my life.
I live here in Fargo with my family, but my Ecuadorian relatives live in Ecuador. My daughter, Samar, was born in Ecuador and has dual citizenship, and my young son, Zander, was born here in Fargo. I’m trying to raise my kids bilingual, but the environment around them is an English-speaking environment. I can tell that their first language is English, but I am encouraging them to learn Spanish. I am teaching them, and they are learning. However, I know I need to emphasize the Spanish language so they become fully bilingual.
I consider myself an open-minded person, and I'm willing to adjust and enjoy the new conditions. I can say that I consider both countries home. I miss some things about my country, but it is not hard for me to live here. I love this area, its people, and the culture.