Soccer strengthens me, connects me to my family and also represents my culture. In Colombia, México and all of Latin America, this is the number one sport and personally my favorite. During the World Cup, times get crazy in my family whether there is a game at 4:00am or 11:00pm we all wake up. When people are watching the World Cup he viewers get extremely competitive for their team to win. It's almost like a piece of their dignity and pride will be stripped away if their country looses. The amount of bets that are placed for a certain team to win, are incredible. 

The significance of soccer is huge in my life. Soccer, the game itself, makes me feel alive, strengthens me, relieves me and most importantly is a big portion of my happiness. When I’m having a bad day at school or failed a test, it’s all forgotten once I step onto that field as if everything magically goes away. Stepping onto the field is the most special feeling because it’s just me and the ball. In games when I dribble through people and juke them it makes me feel  happy because it means I’m advancing to my finish line, which in my case is the goal. Once practice or a game is finish I’m back to reality to a world filled with problems, but in soccer we all have to keep going and make the best out of our experiences. When my dad watches me play their is a huge smile on his face when I look over at the side lines. After the game he tells me I played well and gives me  advice on how I can get better. He enjoys coaching me and I enjoy his feedback. My parents are divorced but soccer unites both my mom and dad, when they come to my soccer games and watch me play. Joy rushes through my body because not only do I have to win for my self but for the people supporting me on the side lines…. My family. Soccer isn’t just a game it’s a representation of life and happiness. My culture is in the game of soccer, when I play it makes me feel as if I’m representing something more than just myself and my family. Most importantly soccer is my passion, it’s what I love to do. In Colombia we take soccer the tough way, whether we have a ball or not we look for alternatives to bring our passion into the game. Any ground is made for soccer even if it’s dirt of concrete we will play anywhere because we’re devoted to the game. The World Cup is the only game that unites the world, it doesn’t only take place in on country like the superbowl, but includes the world. The reason why people wake up at any time of the day is because this tournament only happens every four years. The World Cup is huge in the Latin America even so that every country has their own style of playing the same exact game, it allows creativity. Soccer is sort of a way to represent freedom because you have full control of what you do on the field, just like in life.

I have had the privilege to travel to 10 countries and 10 states. The experience of traveling takes us out of our comfort zones and encourages us to see, taste and try new things. It allows us to not only adapt and explore to new surroundings, but also to engage with different people, embrace adventures as they come and to share new and meaningful experiences with friends and loved ones.