The ripple effect

a spreading, pervasive, and usually unintentional effect or influence.

​by Viridiana Capetillo

​The ripple effect

​Several times in my life I've asked myself what would have happened if I had stayed​ in Canada in 2008?

What if...?

​I was born in Mexico 36 years ago, of course I'm proud of being Mexican.

I love my country and some people here. But since I was a child, I used to think about living in another country.​

​​I was born in Mexico

​15 years ago, when I was in college my dad gave as a present a trip to Canada and the opportunity to take my teacher's course there. It was awesome.

​​2007

​

​I arrived to Vancouver with my host family, they were so caring and warmhearted.

​HOMESTAY

​I applied in Western Town College to take the teacher's course and I got it.

It was a small but nice school where I made lots of friends.​

​​SCHOOL

​

​I met so cool people, soon I had a bf, she was Mexican too from Cancun and she introduced me to a Canadian guy, we became soon very close.

FRIENDS

​

My return was about to happen, and my host family asked me if I wanted to stay longer with them, they even offered me to get me a job as a Spanish teacher in their son's school.

​

​Coming back to Mexico

​I called my father and told him about this offer, he was so worried about me, never coming back again and didn't finish my major. So he answered with an empathetic "NO" .

​

My father...

​What would have happened if I had disobey my parents and stayed in Canada...?

​

​So, every time I think about this, I ask myself...

​If I had stayed in Canada, I would have got a well paid job as a teacher, the same job I have here.

​​Better salary

​

If I had stayed in Canada, I would have had a beautiful house with a nice garden near a lake.

​Nicer home

​

​Canadians don't need to work long hours, so If I had stayed in Canada, I would have enjoyed more my free time.

​More peaceful life

​

​If I had stayed in Canada, I wouldn't have been worried all the time for being attacked on the streets.

​Safer place

​I wouldn't have had my two amazing children, so I'm ok with that :)

But in the end, If I had stayed in Canada...