Profile: Yana Connour

Argentina --> U.S

Kelsey Nelson

“I have little memories of my grandparents, the park, the beach, things like that, but no larger ones.” Sara Matano teaches Modern World History and Leadership and immigrated from Argentina to America when she was only three years old. 

For many immigrants, young and old, immigration is a challenging experience they hold onto for the rest of their lives.

“Children of migrants, we don’t choose our paths, it is chosen for us. I never wanted to leave and everytime I go back I don’t ever want to leave all over again” says Matano. 

Although she was too young to remember the immigration process, being an immigrant has affected the way she lives her life. 

“I was born in The Patagonia but I’ve spent most of my life in the U.S. We’d go back there for a few months at a time and family would come up three-six months at a time,” Matano says.

She says that because she lives in the U.S now, and her family lives in Argentina, she visits her family every so often which affects the way she lives.

“I live in what is known as Diaspora Space, so I did not choose my migration. Forced migration is one of the elements of Diaspora, the inability to return and there is a longing for home. You’re living in a new space, the receiving country, but you spend the majority of your time and energy trying to recreate home where you are, so that’s what my life has been.” 

Matano has found other Argentinians who share the same system of meaning, references, forms of communication, customs, and holidays. Finding others who come from a similar background is a way Matano can feel more at home and connect with others.

Matano says one of her hardest struggles is the absence of her family who currently live in Argentina. 

“It’s impossible to explain [why she misses Argentina]. Anyone who’s immigrated or migrated knows what that means. Yeah family I guess, more than anything,” says Matano.  “You move from point A to point B, you’re not just done, you’re still family and your life still continues in both of those places. So you still have communication, send gifts, still keep up with the news and gossip.” 

For Matano, family is a very important aspect in her life, and she will do what she can to keep their lives as close as possible even when they’re so physically far apart.

Matano explains how why she chooses to live in America rather than Argentina with her family. 

“Because my home is here. You belong in both places but you don’t belong in either one. Your heart is always torn.”