As I embark on the adventure of the long awaited college life, I am starting to ponder on many things, and am starting to draw lines between various topics. I see the changes that will happen and can't help but think about how this will shape who I am. It's the usual talk. A teenager breaking away from his home, fleeing his ''nest'' and starting a different and an independent life. But what I'm most interested in, is how this seemingly drastic change will reflect on my mentality from my homeland.
Georgian traditions are deeply rooted into those people's minds who live here, and neglecting them with ease, is never a simple feat to accomplish. Such behavior always followed by an outrage from the people who are close to you, saying that doing so is being ignorant and disrespectful to everything that we and our country stand for. And because of me encouraging the complete opposite of that, my thinking was never popular between my peers and close ones, hence causing me lots of trouble.
But despite that, I am looking at it as a blessing in disguise. Coming from such a country gives me a unique opportunity to have an insight into current world politics. Being located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, as well as having Russia as our neighbor, Georgians have one-of-a-kind opportunity to witness all the major political happenings first hand, even if it means being affected by them in any way. Unfortunately, not many people understand this, hence rendering such a great potential obsolete. But those who do understand, usually do offer interesting outlooks to the world.
I see this as my chance.
Now being a time of elections in U.S. and Georgia as well, the politics are as engaging as ever. 2016 has been filled with major happenings. There were terror attacks and coups. There was Brexit. There was Bernie Sanders. Now it's Trump vs Hillary. It has been a fascinating year, filled with many shocking happenings. And thankfully I've been able to see different perspectives on all of the issues. Not only did I get news from CNN, but I also learned a lot from local sources, from the common people. I've had a myriad opportunities to talk with people who are getting affected by changes in the first place. And through such experiences, I have understood that there is more to the modern world, than simply U.S., Russia, and the Middle East. There is so much more.
In exactly 16 days, I will be leaving my country for something new. And after waiting for this time for so long, I am finally able to make my dream come true. I am moving to the United States. And this is how I start to realize that. Starting to write for the Odyssey about things that matter to me the most, knowing that through combining of American education and Georgian mentality (which I tend to criticize a lot, but am still a part of nevertheless), I can accomplish something big, offer something new, and create work that will please people during these times of political, cultural, and economical commotions.
I am a regular teenager from Georgia who’s life is about to change together with the whole world. And I am ready to take on all the challenges in order to combine all the opportunities I have been given, to create something different.
