In a video that has sparked a lot of discussion, content creator @valentinabuof shared a series of tips for newcomers to the United States, based on the mistakes she believes she made when she arrived in the country. In a sincere and straightforward tone, Valentina warned about three specific things she would not do again if she could turn back time.
First, Valentina advises against quickly trusting anyone, not even those from the same country. According to her, some of the biggest disappointments often happen among Latinos. "You might get hit on the head," she remarks, referring to those who seem to help at first but ultimately take advantage of others, especially when it comes to money. "Just because someone is Latino, or even more so because they are from your country, doesn’t necessarily make them a good person," she asserts with a mix of frustration and experience.
The second point she mentions is to avoid living with friends or family for too long. She clarifies that although many people arrive in the United States seeking the support of acquaintances, this living arrangement often has an expiration date. "Within a week of arriving, they find themselves being kicked out of the house or being asked for a lot of money," she explains, recommending that, if possible, one should seek independence quickly. For Valentina, nothing compares to "living in one's own space without bothering anyone."
Finally, she emphasizes the importance of preparing from one's country of origin, suggesting that one should study a trade with high demand in the United States, such as barista work. The creator confesses that she regrets not having listened to her mother, who advised her to learn about coffee before emigrating, a skill she now considers invaluable. "There is a high demand for baristas here, and there are hardly any," she asserts, expressing her disappointment for not taking advantage of the free courses available in her hometown.
Valentina's post has received thousands of reactions and comments from people who resonated with it or have even experienced similar situations. Some users expressed their gratitude for the advice, sharing their own experiences regarding the distrust that sometimes arises among compatriots abroad. "You get to know friends and family through immigration," commented one user, while another cautioned, "Never share your dreams with anyone; everyone wants to see you succeed, but not better than them."
Many agree that fellow Latinos can be "the worst enemies" in times of need, even suggesting to keep a distance. Another user remarked, "A corpse that's been dead for three days already smells bad," referring to how living with acquaintances can quickly become complicated. Some even pointed out that living with family or friends brought them unexpected issues: "My so-called friend charged me $1700 for an apartment that wasn't worth that," confessed a follower.
The suggestion to study barista skills also piqued curiosity. Several people asked what it entails and how one could learn it, while others recommended additional trades such as welding, electrical work, or beauty techniques. The general sentiment among those who commented is to prepare with skills that will ease their work life upon arriving in the United States, particularly in high-demand fields.
The video by @valentinabuof has resonated with a reality that many immigrants face: the challenges of adapting and finding support far from home. Her advice, though tough, reflects the lessons learned from the migration experience and aims to prevent others from going through the same struggles.
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