Internships

Never Say Never
by Carlos Quiñones Hernández, Valladolid/Chetumal, Mexico

When I was a child, I remember that I wanted to be like my father all the time, a person that always does things perfectly, and could have a beautiful woman like my mother. I thought: what luck! As I was growing up I realized that you can’t be like another person, you should understand your personality, find your goals and your strategies to be happy.

I remember that I always wanted to know another country and speak another language different than mine. I wanted to know the customs, the beliefs, the ideologies, likes and dislikes, the culture, the food, but above all to be able to experience what life was like. On this day I can say I did it, but I’m aware that you always need people like your family and friends behind you to help and support you if needed. The kind of people that always want you be happy.

This experience in another country (Asheville, N.C., USA) was amazing and magnificent. I had great experiences that I never believed a 22 year old person could live at his short age. I met amazing people who helped and contributed in developing my skills in school and my profession. I was lucky because I met people that always help without receive anything, and the best recompense for them is the smile of the person benefiting, or to know that he will achieve his goals in the future.

I was able to work on my skills at six restaurants where they relied upon me, and I absorbed as much knowledge as possible in the kitchen. I worked at Vincenzo’s, Havana Comida Latina, Piazza, Reza’s, Dough & Aloft Hotel. I’m grateful for being allowed to work with them. I talked about my experiences in Mexico with students interested in the Spanish language. I talked about my country, and we exchanged opinions and shared aspects of our life. I’m sure my experiences can inspire them to achieve their goals. I also took English classes and Indian food classes at ABTech, an amazing school.

Thanks to my family for supporting me because without them, I could not do anything. Above all thanks, so much to Asheville Sister Cities, because without you I couldn’t have had these experiences in the USA. Thanks for changing my perspective of how life is in the United States. Now I know that the only way to be happy is doing your favorite things.

Thanks to all the people who are a part of Asheville Sister Cities, because you are the reason that a person like me can realize his dreams in this life.