A month and a half before the 2024 school year started, Christopher transferred from schooling in Japan to Huntington park High school. In this change, Chris had to leave everything behind and start anew.
Christopher Arana, A 17 year old, and a current senior at Huntington park High school, is well traveled going from Hawaii, New Jersey, Virginia, and North Carolina. His most recent move was all the way from Japan to California, leaving the place he called home for the last 6 years. Now, at a new school he’s learning to navigate a new environment which is much different from what he is used to.
Adjusting to different cultures and environments has been a challenge for Chris. He transferred to Huntington park due to his family military business which made it difficult to adjust, having to move homes quite often.
Chris’s life has been a constant cycle of moving and adjusting. He’s had to let go of friendships and routines time and time again, shaping him into a person that is able to adapt quickly but also someone who is constantly leaving pieces of his life behind.
“The hardest part is saying goodbye,” Chris said. “I miss my friends, going to karaoke, and all the late night adventures we used to have in Japan.”
As the third of four siblings in a military family, Chris’s life has never been rooted in a place for too long. Although, Japan was where he felt most at home.
Moving from Japan to California has been a big difference in community and morals. He notes that Japan was cleaner, safer, and better structured, while California feels messier and less polite.
“People here just don’t have as much respect or manners,” He expressed. “It’s way different from japan where everything was organized and education was strict.”
Chris had to adjust to not only the environment, but a new education system that in his eyes feels more relaxed compared to Japan’s strict academic culture.
Despite the challenges, Chris is finding ways to make his senior year memorable. He’s making new friends and embracing this new chapter, even if it feels unfamiliar.
“I’m still trying to adjust to everything here but I’m trying to make the most out of my senior year,” Chris said. “It’s not easy but I’m giving it my best.”
Written by Julianna Chavez, Broadcast anchor and staff writer