Part 01 | Here we go...
I was born in a small town in Oaxaca, Mexico. When I was little, I never dreamed of traveling the world, I actually didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up. The only thing I was sure about, was that I wanted to dance and have my own family someday.
I'm from a conservative and traditional family. When I was younger they always told me that if I wanted to achieve something great in life, I had to study hard and get good grades. And so I did, but even though I was doing what they wanted me to do, I still felt like something was missing in my life. I danced ballet for many years but being a dancer professionally wasn’t an option because "in Mexico, it's really hard to make a living out of art", that's what they said. So I got rid of that dream at that moment.
When it came time to decide what I wanted to study in college, I felt so much pressure because I had no idea what I wanted. Honestly, who at the age of 18 really knows what they want to be for the rest of their lives? I admire these people who have very clear what they want, but I was not one of them. Eventually, my parents decided that Law school would be good for my future and I hoped that it would make me happy one day.
I don't regret it, I truly believe that education is the most powerful tool we have to change the world, after all, I had the privilege to attend the university. When I finished, I started working in a government institution. I was good at my job, but I was never passionate about it. I was just going through the motions day after day, waiting for the weekend so I could go to the dancing classes. That's when I realized that I needed to make a change in my life. I knew that I had to find something that made me feel alive, something that filled my heart with happiness and passion. After a lot of thinking, and some guidance from my mom, in 2016 at the age of 25, I decided to move to the United States to give myself a chance, and start fresh. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life.
Quick links | Marisa Ramirez
