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Nicole Tapia
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Antofagasta, Chile - Vancouver
Art by Emily Honderich
Nicole Tapia story
Nicole Tapia was born in Antofagasta, Chile and grew up in La Serena. She moved to Vancouver in 2018 and works for Teck Resources as a communications specialist. She loves to work in the field and learn about different cultures from the communities.
Two Parallel Lives
I came to Canada in 2018 for a job at Vancouver’s headquarters of the company I worked for in Chile. I was planning to stay here for one year, but I found not only did I enjoy the beauty and relaxed lifestyle in this city, but I also loved it, so I stayed.
I know I should feel safe and calm as Canada has been wonderful in responding to COVID-19, but instead, I’m constantly worried about what is happening in Chile. I feel cut in two. One part of me is here in Canada, and the other is in a different time zone, three hours into the future.
Back home, we are that loud and friendly close-knit family you see in movies, but I’m feeling the distance now. It is like I am living parallel lives. One life where I am fortunate to work safely from home with my loving dog and boyfriend. A second life always worried about how my family is protecting themselves from the virus, combined with the awful mismanagement of the Chilean government.
I feel sad and angry, but I try to stay positive by reminding myself that COVID-19 came to teach us something. In my case, I have learned that I don’t have control over everything in my life.
"I know I should feel safe and calm, as Canada has been wonderful in responding to COVID-19, but instead, I’m constantly worried about what is happening in Chile. I feel cut in two."