A Colombian man migrated to the United States in search of a better future, but after three years, he returned to the country when it wasn't what he expected: 'It's never easy.'
Jhoan Rivera, a Colombian citizen who immigrated to the United States in July 2022 with his family in search of new opportunities, decided to return to Colombia after three years of residence in the North American country.
Her testimony, published on social media, recounts the difficulties she faced during that period, including an accident that completely changed her life.
Challenges in the United States that it never expected Rivera explained that he arrived in the United States without money, without housing, and with his family in tow.
In a video posted on her TikTok account, she noted, "This is a country of many opportunities , but it has also taken away many valuable things from me." Despite her efforts to establish herself, she faced adverse circumstances from the start.
Rivera explained that he arrived in the United States with no money, no home, and only his family in tow. Photo: iStock
Among the first obstacles he encountered was a fire in his home, which forced him to start over from scratch.
Later, while playing in the pool with his 8-year-old daughter, he suffered an accident that caused a spinal cord injury, leaving him paralyzed.
After months of therapy, he managed to partially regain mobility in his arms, but had to adapt to using a wheelchair.
“Starting over is never easy, especially in a country where we don't have the rest of our family,” he said.
He suffered an accident in a swimming pool, leaving him in a wheelchair. Photo: Social media.
Rivera announced his decision to return to Colombia in early August, motivated by the desire to be close to his family and pursue his personal projects from his home country. His return was captured in a second video, in which he showed the emotional welcome from his loved ones.
When asked about his decision to leave a country with extensive medical options, Rivera clarified that his personal goals don't depend on geographic location: "The important thing isn't whether I'm going to fulfill my dreams in the United States or Colombia. The important thing is to be clear about them, shape them, and make them a reality ."
As a reflection, he concluded: "No matter where they are, you just have to go out and pursue your dreams. You have to go out and set goals for yourself so you can achieve them and make something happen in your life."
The Nation (Argentina) / GDA.
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