"Miami I don't recommend to start": Colombian reveals things she wish she had known upon arriving in the U.S.

The content creator on TikTok Valentina (@valentinabuof) shared in two videos her reflections on what she wishes she had known before emigrating to the United States.

In her message, directed especially at newly arrived immigrants, Valentina emphasized that the "American dream" is not as it is portrayed because, according to her, one arrives idealizing many things, but the reality is different, especially in the financial aspect.

"One comes very naïve and idealizing many things because one doesn't know until they experience it." He explained that for most people, the first year is the hardest, since if one arrives without a plan, job, or something stable, "it's the most difficult year, probably the one that requires the most effort."

Valentina also spoke about the big differences between the states in the U.S., stating that each one is a different world in terms of laws, salaries, and cost of living. She highlighted that in her personal case, she would not recommend starting in Miami due to how expensive it can be for those arriving without concrete plans and added that "it would have been good to arrive with a mindset or predisposed to something, but one arrives very naïve."

Another key point was the criticism of the American healthcare system, describing it as expensive and accessible only to privileged people. Although he mentioned that it is important to have health insurance, he assured that going to the hospital for something serious is an expense that many cannot afford: "It's a quite expensive little fee for a person to go to the hospital and be hospitalized for a day."

His videos have generated a great deal of reactions among his followers: “The problem is that people think it's just about arriving and that everything will fall into their lap and that everything will be done for them; that it's about working hard"; "Honestly, I would have liked to see this video before arriving"; "And they exploit you because you don't have documents"; "When it comes to health, Colombia is the worst, you go for priority and from 6 am they make you wait until 5 pm", are some of the responses that show the variety of opinions his reflection has provoked.