I still remember it clearly, the day which I had realized my life would never be the same, the day when a great deal of change would soon ensue and give my life a new meaning. It was because of what would happen that day, which would force me to part from what I was used to, near acceptance of what would soon come, and hope for a better life. That day, was the day I would leave my home for a new beginning.

Two years ago, I was a typical, ignorant teen amongst the American people, for I had been brought up in a place that had raised everyone in the same manner. With a closed mind, understanding only what was taught to me, I had felt very “lost”. I had always thought differently from everyone. I felt as though I needed change. While most people were able to endure the routine of the American life, day after day, I began to despise it. I began to loathe everything that I had been seeing repeatedly for 15 years without change. For these reasons when my father had announced the possibility of my family moving across the world, I was overjoyed. Until my family had confirmed the crazy adventure as I saw it, I was very impatient and did all I could to make it happen. I was not sure about whether going to this new place would be a good thing for my life, but I was sure that it would be better than the boring life I was living in this crap-hole. On the day I would depart from the usual, I saw everyone that I cared about, and together we had so much fun. As I was taking off, I began to realize that I would be leaving my friends, the only people who offered some excitement in my life. I did not know whether moving on without them would bring good or bad things, but I had to accept the fact that with change comes a lot of sacrifice.

Now, two years later I find myself as a new person. I look back and see how much being an international student has changed me, my view of everything, and furthermore how I act. Spending every day of my life with people from different places of the world has allowed for my mind to be open to new ideals. Communication with such diverse cultures on a daily basis completely destroys the same routine which every American person endures for the majority of their lives. It is a refreshing start, for change is a wonderful thing. Today, I act the way I do partially for how I was raised in the United States, yet my actions, my words, and my mind together, influenced by different cultures, give me the opportunity to live however I desire. Living in this new place has given me a way to live without routine, regrets, or fear as I once used to. Now, after having no motivation prior to the change, I feel the urge to succeed and work hard towards a wonderful future as I see so many opportunities pass me by every day.            

Due to the start of a new life, I have promised myself to become a better person, someone who I can be satisfied with in the future. I look back on the day that I moved with happiness as I currently know that the changing my whole life has positively affected me. I, now, refuse to settle for indifference and as some say, “going with the flow” as I will take charge of my life and persevere until I become something I am proud of.