Jareth Garcia-Perez is a new 8th grade student at Sevier Middle School. Although he was born in the United States, he has spent much of his life living in Mexico. Now, he has returned and is adjusting to his new life.

Garcia-Perez says that the biggest change for him in moving here was “leaving my parents and meeting new people.”

Since Garcia-Perez was born here, it made sense for him to return to the United States.

“I have more possibilities in this country than in the other,” he said.

Garcia-Perez moved last year with no idea how to speak English. This made it harder for him to learn so late in the school year.

“Well, the truth is that it’s too difficult because I have to concentrate on too many things at the same time,” he said. “I like to earn a living in the same way; I work on weekends, not all the time, but my cousins and my parents tell me not to work, but that is what keeps me active.”

The biggest difference between his life in his hometown in Mexico and his life in Kingsport is one of size.

“In Mexico, I lived in a small town,” he said. “There were so many types of animals.”

Garcia-Perez did not even move here with his family; he came alone. This has been especially difficult.

“My parents are in Mexico, but we talk everyday,” he said. “I live with my cousins.”

Even though he has to live with his cousins, he’s glad that he came to Kingsport.

“I think this country is very beautiful,” he said. “If you work, you have many possibilities, but of course, no job is easy.”

Sevier is very different from his old school. Much like his hometown, his previous school was much smaller.

Garcia-Perez moved a long way from his home, so his friends can not just come over to visit.

“The truth is that it hurt me a lot to leave them because they were very good people,” he said. “I am [still] in contact with them. I chat every day with them.”

Even though they are countries away, he makes an effort to speak with his friends as much as possible.

The extracurricular activities at his previous school were also different because the school never had enough resources to do things like that.

Garcia-Perez moved here from Mexico with different customs and traditions. So he says that the hardest part of moving here is “to get to know the people I live with and to know the customs.”

So, not only does he have to learn the language, he has to learn a whole new way of life.

Garcia-Perez has some advice for others moving to Kingsport from a foreign country.

“First of all, if you live without your parents, you have to get used to the people you live with, not them to you,” he said. “The main thing is to know the place more than anything else.”

In the end, Garcia-Perez is thankful for his new school.

“I give thanks for all that this school has given me and to the people who are in it,” he said.