Emilia Vega was just 16 years old when her mother decided it was time for a new start. Her new plan included leaving the only place she knew: Cuenca, Ecuador. She would soon be gathering up all her things and the life she once had.

“My mom said, ‘We’re going to move, start a new life, and have new experiences,” Vega recalled.

Vega wasn’t alone; she had the comfort of her twin sister, Maria, right beside her. They left for the United States and stayed at their mom’s friend’s house in New Jersey. Coming to America was a new way of life and a new start that would come with uneasy feelings.

“I didn’t like the town that we were in. It was near a train station so [there was always noise] in the neighborhood. The schools also weren’t good,” Vega said.

After staying in New Jersey for three weeks, the Vega family moved to New Haven, Connecticut where the twins attended Wilbur Cross High School.

Starting at a new high school junior year was a journey the twins got to experience together. Back in Ecuador, Emilia and her sister attended an all-girl private Catholic school. Now, the two would be entering into a public school system.

“They were mean. They didn’t even try to understand me. My fear was being asked to repeat things over and over again and have people be like, ‘What?’ It was a lot different than what I was used to. At my old high school, when there was a new student, everyone said hello to them,” Vega stated.

Emilia admitted that she and her sister wanted to go home back to Ecuador. The school was not welcoming at first, and though Vega could write English and speak it, having an accent was always a worry.

Although high school came with difficulties, Emilia showed her academic strength and capabilities by applying for a scholarship at Yale and getting it.

This scholarship was for an Intensive English Program designed for individuals with high academic potential who have had their education interrupted, at some point during their educational careers for five or more years, according to Yale admissions.

“I loved the experience and getting to meet new people from all over the place. It was amazing,” Vega said. Being there, Vega felt like she fit in and the worry of sounding different became smaller.

“Having an accent doesn’t define who you are. It helps people to know that you don’t speak only one language, you are bilingual,” Vega stated.

The twins both attended Goodwin College in East Hartford and were nursing majors. After realizing nursing wasn’t for both of them, the twins transferred to Central Connecticut and now major in Spanish Education.

The sisters also moved from New Haven and relocated. Their journey came with surprises both academically and culturally, but without each other, the transition would not have been the same.

“It was a lot easier with [Maria]. She was my friend through it,” Emilia said with a heartwarming smile.