In a heartfelt virtual meeting, Colegio Concepción had the pleasure of reconnecting with Dominga, a former student who began her educational journey at our school in Pre-Kinder and continued through 6th grade. Now living in Merced, California, near San Francisco, she shared her inspiring story of adaptation, learning, and perseverance after moving to the United States with her family.
The interview, conducted by Mr. Marcos Riveros Illanes from the English Immersion Plan and Ms. Johanna Pantoja Pereira, her former head teacher, brought back fond memories of Dominga’s early years — friendships, classroom experiences, and the warmth and guidance that shaped her both academically and personally. She described leaving Chile as a “mix of emotions,” balancing excitement for a new adventure with the sadness of saying goodbye to her friends and teachers.
Once in the United States, Dominga faced the challenge of adjusting to a new culture, language, and school system. Although the beginning was difficult, she quickly adapted and was even moved up a grade thanks to her academic performance and maturity. Today, she is part of the California Junior Federation, a program that prepares students for university-level opportunities and scholarships.
Reflecting on her experience, Dominga highlighted that the values and academic discipline she gained at Colegio Concepción have been essential to her success abroad. “The quality of what I learned at Colegio Concepción helps me in everything I do,” she shared. “Even lessons in ethics and values are things I use every day.” She also recalled a strategy learned in her Language subject — highlighting and underlining key ideas in texts — a technique she still applies and that many of her current classmates are only now discovering. This skill, she noted, has made her feel confident and well-prepared in her new academic environment.
Dominga emphasized that her strong foundation in English made the transition smoother. “It’s easier for me to communicate here because the school taught me a lot of English,” she said, proudly noting that she now participates confidently in classes with classmates from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Her message to the Colegio Concepción community was filled with affection and gratitude. She encouraged her former classmates to value every opportunity and to keep learning with purpose:
“If you have a goal, follow that goal. No matter how difficult it is, at some point you will achieve it.”
This interview reflects our school’s ongoing commitment to fostering global citizenship, bilingual education, and meaningful learning experiences that prepare students to thrive anywhere in the world.
