GRAMMAR 3

If I hadn’t moved to the United States, I wouldn’t have gone to any other country. I would have just stayed in Brazil. If I had stayed there, I would still be working for the same company. I would be with my friends and family close to me. My life would be almost the same. I would wake up early, go to work, and talk in Portuguese every day. I would see my family every weekend, and eat lunch with them like before. Now I am here and learning English. If I finish my ESOL classes, I may go back. I want to continue my life the same way but with small changes. If I speak English better, I can get a better job, maybe a promotion, because my English will be stronger. And if I get pregnant again, it will be something very special. If that happens, I will feel very happy and my family too.

Written by Patricia Marins

If I hadn’t moved to the United States, I wouldn’t have moved to any other country because I don’t like them. I have visited several countries in Europe and America when my home country Venezuela didn’t have a dictatorship. If my country had maintained democracy, I would still be living there. I decided to move to the United States because it is the only country with opportunities and the greatest sense of freedom. If I had chosen to live somewhere else, my life would be different. For example, if I had moved to Spain, where there is high unemployment, I would be unemployed. If I had moved to France, I would speak French and work in a restaurant. If I had moved to Colombia, I would have a food stand in front of my house. If I had moved to the Dominican Republic, I would work on the beach. Similarly, if I had moved to Florence in the United States, I wouldn’t be studying English, because everyone there speaks Spanish. I’m truly grateful to God for this opportunity. 

Written by E. Ulacio

If I hadn’t moved to the United States, I would have gone to Turkey. If I had started a new life there, I would have lived closer to my relatives. If I had been near my grandparents and cousins, I would have seen them often and shared more family traditions. If I had attended school in Turkey, I would have studied in Turkish, and if my education had been different, I would have chosen a different career path. If I had grown up in Turkey, I would have experienced the culture more deeply. If I had lived in Istanbul, I would have explored the old bazaars, the museums, and the river every weekend. If I had stayed in a small town, I would have lived a quieter life surrounded by people who knew each other well. If I were living in Turkey now, I would be working or studying there. If I worked in an office, I would speak Turkish all day and follow a different routine. If I were attending a university in Turkey, I would be writing essays in Turkish and preparing for the future in that system. If I spent every weekend with extended family, I would enjoy big meals and family gatherings more often. If I hadn’t moved to the United States, I wouldn’t have learned English so well. If I hadn’t learned English, I wouldn’t be able to communicate easily with people from around the world. If I hadn’t moved to the United States, I wouldn’t have met the friends I have today, and I wouldn’t have learned how to live in a multicultural environment. If I hadn’t had those experiences, I wouldn’t understand other cultures as well as I do now. If I decide to move to another country in the future, I will choose a place that helps me grow. If I move to Germany, I will learn German and adapt to a new society. If I live there, I will work hard to succeed. If I apply for a job, I will prepare carefully. If I get hired, I will give my best every day. If I make new friends there, I will build a strong support system. If I choose to stay in the United States, I will continue building the life I started. If I study more and improve my skills, I will open more doors for my future. If I stay focused, I will reach my goals. If I keep learning and trying, I will succeed.

Written by Deena Afshar

If I hadn't moved to the United States, I would have moved to Australia because my best friend moved to Melbourne, Australia. I wanted to choose a place where I had friends who lived there. If I had moved to Australia, I wouldn't have met my husband in the Bay Area and I wouldn't have registered for Grammar 3 at PCC. I really enjoy my life in Portland. If I have time, I will hang out with my family. We will go to Cannon Beach next weekend if it doesn't rain. 

Written by Zihan Sircy

If I had never moved to the U.S, I would probably still be living in Costa Rica. I mean, I didn’t know any other language to go to another country. And being fair, the situation in other countries doesn’t help. I’d be studying something about mechanics and working as a technology installer. It was my second option if I hadn’t moved on. If I had remained in Costa Rica, I would continue seeing my dad’s family at the end of the year as I used to do. I would keep friends around me and still go to my best friend’s house some weekends. 

Written by Sebas Murillo

The main reasons I moved to the United States were to improve my English and learn more about American culture. If I hadn’t had the option of living in the United States, I would have moved to a country where I could learn Spanish. During my life, I had the opportunity to visit my Spanish-speaking countries, and two of them made me feel very welcome and comfortable when I visited them. Both countries have rich cultures, gorgeous places and friendly people. If I hadn’t moved to the United States, I would have moved to Colombia or Uruguay. If I had moved to one of these countries, I would be studying Spanish and learning their cultures in the same way that I’m learning here in the United States. If I had decided to move to one of those countries, I believe I would be speaking Spanish as my second language right now.

Written by Bruno Tella

If I hadn’t moved to the United States, I probably would have wanted to move to Estonia because my friend is there and he always talks about how great Estonia is. They give easy work and staying permits. Being there, I would be closer to my home country and I could visit Turkey easily and cheaply. On the other hand, I think the weather would be colder, but life might feel more peaceful and I like the cold a little. If I were still living in Turkey, I have no idea what I would be doing. If I hadn’t left, I wouldn’t have improved my English this much. Also, I wouldn’t have met the people I’ve met here or had the new experiences I’ve had. Moving here changed my life in many ways. In the future, if I move to a different place, it will probably be for a job or for family reasons. If I find a good opportunity in another state or country, I will think about it. If I move somewhere new, I hope I will feel even more comfortable as I do now. If the people are friendly and if I feel safe, then I think I’ll be happy. But if I don’t feel like I belong there, I might decide to come back to the U.S. If life gets harder, I will try to stay strong and find new ways to keep going. And if I ever feel lost, I’ll remind myself why I moved in the first place—to grow, learn, and build a better future.

Written by Oguzhan Kusoglu

If my son hadn’t moved to Portland, Oregon, I wouldn’t be living in the United States right now. Instead, I imagine myself in Sydney, Australia, a place I’ve visited before and have always enjoyed. If I had moved to Sydney, I would have been much closer to some old friends that I met during my past travels. If I had never come to Portland, I wouldn’t have experienced three seasons in one day; cloudy and cold, hot and sunny, and then rainy. I actually enjoy Portland’s weather, even though it rains frequently. I especially love the cold and fresh air.  My decision would have changed again if my son had decided to move somewhere else.  I wonder how different my daily routine would be. If I lived in Sydney, I would spend more time outdoors. If I had taken a short course in business English there, I could have improved my English communication even more. Sometimes, I wonder if I made the right choice. If I had followed my instinct instead of my family, maybe I’d be in a warmer place now. If I move to another place in the future, I will try to choose it based on my lifestyle, not just family. If I move again, I think it might move to another English-speaking country. It may be in Australia.
If I return to Australia someday, I hope to reconnect with my friends and explore more of the countryside.
If I save enough money, I can buy a small place in Sydney and live there part-time.
If I want more peace and nature, maybe I’ll consider Tasmania or the outskirts of Melbourne.
If I don’t move, I will keep visiting new places every year because I love travelling.

Written by Anna Worawongwasu