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Writer: Stephany Ridderstap Photos: Unsplash Photos are not of interviewee
Doing THE UNEXPECTED where
EXPECTATIONS ARE HIGH.
Barbara Garcia, THE INTERVIEW.
a
ny hesitation or change of plans in a student’s career is harshly condemned by those around them. To show the side of those so harshly judged by others, we are digging into the story of Barbara-Alejandra García. Barbara, 22, was born in Aruba to immigrant parents. She loves watching murder shows like Forensic Files, Law and Order and describes herself as, "Super quiet and a shy person." Her goal is to, someday, own her own cosmetology clinic. In March 2017, she she moved to the Netherlands in hops of reaching that goal.
Moving
Barbara decided to move to the Netherlands due to the lack of study choices available in Aruba. She really wanted to experience the student life that she had heard so much about. For her, it was a difficult transition going from constant warm weather and relatively small-town life to the much colder city life. While it was tough, the Netherlands had been exactly what she had expected – she knew that it would be a challenge for her, that she’d be on her own and that she was not the most self-reliant person you can find. While Barbara was aware of the challenges she might face, there was still some culture shock for her,
“I lived in Rotterdam where there are tons of Caribbean people. But, I didn’t get used to the type of music, how they spend a night out, an afternoon or their day off.” ISSUE 004 • MAY 2018
© 2018 PHRYME MAGAZINE
PG. 12
