Caroline Correa

 

Early Life

·      From Columbia

·      Grew up with a really strong education in Columbia

o   Education was a high standard in her house

·      Dad raised her while mom was still going to school

·      At the age of 8 her grandparents were murdered

o   Caroline and her family had to move around a lot because the cartel would be coming for her parents as well her herself and brother

o   The Drug Cartel were after Caroline’s grandfather on her father’s side

§  If you don’t surrender your fields, the Cartel will come after you and your family members, they are extremely violent.

·      Her father was murdered when she was only 12, she watched his death unveil

o   Caroline had to be extremely strong while her and her brother were left alone for hours on end in the middle of nowhere with no contact with anyone

o   Her mother sent Caroline and her brother to live with their grandparents

 

The Journey

·      Coming to a different country was the hardest part

o   Didn’t know how to be “normal”

o   A lot to adjust to, much safer and less hectic

§  More than just “surviving”

§  She’s never fully safe in her mind

·      People and Organizations have helped along the way

o   She never considered herself as a refugee until she came here and really learned what a refugee is.

o   Boys-and-Girls Club has helped her into who she is today, they were her main resource when she arrived to the U.S

·      Not all refugees are treated the same

o   It is up to you Caroline says, you have to be persistent from the start

§  Use resources as much as you can

§  Language barrier is the biggest issue in her opinion

·      When she works as an interpreter she notices that people who have been here for years know almost no English.

·      Caroline forced herself into English culture in order to make it for herself

o   She feels different sometimes

§  The things that people worry about and what their priorities are put things in perspective for her

 

Currently

·      Lives in Providence, RI

·      Has 2 jobs

o   United Way fundraising

o   Medical Interpreter for RI Hospital

·      Lives alone

o   Brother lives in RI

o   Doesn’t have a relationship with her mom

§  Doesn’t agree with her mother’s choice to remarry a man who has no respect for woman

·      A man who shares some of those beliefs with the people they were fleeing from in their homeland

·      Plays for a water polo team in Boston

o   Loves anything outdoors

·      Works with “Open Arms” Orphanage for mothers and children

·      A message to the people helping refugees

o   Really learn and understand the language barrier and other differences that refugees have to deal with coming to a new country

·      A message to refugees

o   Be resourceful

§  Really go out there and know what’s around you

§  Keep going, survive and succeed.