Home!

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Today, as I land in the city I chose as my new home, I find myself in silence, watching as the plane slowly descends toward the land that, just a few years ago, was only an idea in my mind, a distant place full of dreams, promises, and hopes. At first, this place seemed like a distant territory, one I only knew through others' stories, through videos by influencers showing the city as a promised land, full of opportunities and accomplishments. Yet today, I realize I had not been aware of how this place had started to become something much deeper than I had imagined.

I embarked on this challenge with my luggage and my longing for a better future. Everything seemed as simple as the stories of those who had done it before. But reality showed me that migration has many nuances, quite different from what I had imagined.

When I arrived, I felt profoundly alone, I felt a great sense of vulnerability, as though I were at the mercy of a place I didn't understand, a language I didn't master, a culture I didn’t fully know. As I tried to adjust to all these changes, my home country began to turn into a blurry image, one I missed deeply and idealized. In my toughest moments, I asked myself if I had made the right decision.

The first few months were a fierce internal battle: on one hand, nostalgia pushed me to want to return to the familiar, to what I had left behind; on the other, my determination to keep fighting for a better future kept me going. My first achievements, although small—passing exams, getting a job, receiving my first paycheck, finding my first apartment—felt like a mechanical process, a series of necessary steps. But over time, I came to understand that these accomplishments were not only personal milestones but the bricks of roots I had been building without even realizing it.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to return to my homeland, hoping to revive the familiarity of what I knew, to eat those dishes I missed so much, to see my family, to visit the places that had seen me grow. But when I arrived, something unexpected happened. As that familiar scent stimulated my brain, I realized that the place I once called "home" was no longer the same. Everything was in its place, but I no longer fit. The country I had idealized in my mind didn’t feel as close. This discovery was deep and transformative. Despite the warmth of the people who welcomed me, my old home was no longer my home.

So, as I observe the landscape on the way back through the window of this plane, I discover that those human connections and gestures of kindness that started weaving into my life in this new country are what truly makes me feel that I belong. This place, which I feared at first and anticipated as distant, now feels like part of me. The sense of belonging I went to seek in my homeland, I now feel here.


Finally, I became aware that home is not a place but a construction forged over time, with each lesson learned and each human connection made. And while my old home will always have a place in my heart, it is here, in this city, where I have finally found my place.
Hello! I’m Martha Navarro, a proud Colombian who made the leap to Canada in 2020. As an immigrant, I’ve navigated the ups and downs of starting anew in a foreign land, facing challenges that many of us know all too well. This blog is my little corner of the internet where I share my experiences, insights, and stories. I believe that while the immigrant journey can be tough, it also brings us together in unexpected ways. Through my words, I hope to connect with others who may be feeling isolated or overwhelmed. You're not alone—we share a bond that transcends borders. Join me as we explore the immigrant experience, celebrate our resilience, and find comfort in our shared stories. Together, we can create a supportive community where we uplift each other and remind ourselves that we are all connected.

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