From Ballerina to PhD: achieving against the odds with Johanna Arenaza

Johanna Arenaza is a psychologist based in Washington D.C. Born in Bilbao, Spain, Johanna left her home country at 18 to study at the prestigious School of American Ballet in New York City without knowing much, if any, English. In a few years Johanna went from a full-time ballerina who didn’t speak English, to a psychology student who would go on to get a PhD.WATCH on YouTube!REACH OUT:Want to share your immigration stories or have a question? We'd love to hear from you. Shoot us an email: [email protected]:*Follow WWL on IG: @wherewelandpod*Follow WWL on TikTok: @wherewelandpod*Follow Claudia on IG: @claudiavl8Click here for a list of immigration resources / organizations you can support.ABOUT THE HOSTS:Luciana and Claudia Valdiviezo know what it’s like to move to the U.S. – twice. They were born in Peru and lived there for only a few years until their parents moved the family to the U.S. The sisters kept in touch with their roots, speaking Spanish at home and every Christmas when they visited Peru for the holidays. Then, when they were 12 and 11 respectively, the family moved back to Peru. Growing up both Peruvian and American during those formative years gave Luciana and Claudia a deep understanding of what it means to belong, and not belong, at the same time.The sisters eventually moved back to the U.S. Luciana is a marketing professional living in Washington D.C. with her husband and two young children. Claudia is a writer living in New York City.