Life in Lake Forest

His sister Eva had been living in Lake Forest already, so Cristhian and Alba came to live with her. Lake Forest does not have a large Hispanic community, so Cristhian would have to learn English. And that was important to him and his family.

In the summer of 2018, Cristhian and  Alba drove more than 700 miles from Washington, D.C. to Lake Forest.

Life from dirt roads to mansion-lined streets, left him feeling alone.

“It was very nice when we first got here, but also very different from before. I was feeling alone; I was feeling nervous about learning a new language,” Cristhian said.

He learned that one way he could fit in was to go back to his roots: fútbol.

Cristhian’s feelings of isolation eased after he joined the soccer team. “I could have friends when I started playing soccer,” Perla said.

When Cristhian showed up on the first day of soccer, the language barrier was a problem. Simple things like, “pass here,” or “switch the field,” were hard to communicate. Even subbing off the field was nearly impossible because he didn’t know if he was supposed to change positions on the field, or come out of the game.

“Cristhian is a determined player who gives everything he has got to the team.  He is an offensive player, with an attacking mindset.  He loves to take players on and looks to score,” Varsity soccer coach Rob Parry said.

As the soccer season progressed in 2018, Cristhian’s English was improving. He began to understand his teammates on the field, as well as communicate back in short phrases. It helped that he was a fantastic soccer player who led the freshman team in goals in 2018.

Instead of being shy because of a language barrier like when he first arrived at Lake Forest, he began to interact with many other students outside of the soccer team, regardless of if he could fully understand what they were saying.

“When I first met Cristhian through soccer, he was very open to me and the rest of our teammates. But I did notice he was a bit shy to other people in our grade. However after freshman year, it seemed like everybody knew Cristhian, and he broke out of his shell, which made me happy to see,” Nick Hardy, a close friend of Cristhian, said.

Right before the pandemic in 2020, Cristhian’s English had improved to the point where he could understand what people were saying to him and speak more like a native speaker.

“The kid that I met in 2018 was totally different from the young man that he has developed into. And not only did he learn a new language, but is learning independence that will stick with him for the rest of his life,” Shannon Ramirez, one of Cristhian’s teachers throughout high school, said.

The United States produces what many call the American Dream: The ethos of America and the reason why millions of people every year cross borders, leave families, and take risks to come to this great country.

Cristhian says he believes that studying and working hard can help him achieve the American Dream of finding a good job and a happy life.

Across the United States, Cristhian’s journey is not uncommon. People born into unfortunate circumstances, who have the drive and determination to make a life for themselves and their families, have a chance of achieving their own version of The American Dream.

Cristhian plans to study at College of Lake County next fall. He hopes to become an auto mechanic in the future.