"I am going to Iraq this summer."

This statement received many raised eyebrows. Based on what we see on the news, many can already know that Iraq is not exactly a tourist attraction. However I went to the safe side of Iraq to visit my extended family. While I was there, I learned a lot about who I am as a person and what I should appreciate about my life in America. In Iraq, there are many orphan children on the street, neglected from their parents or perhaps a result of them being bomb victims. Because of this, I became deeply emotional about the blessings we have already. I chew my food slower now, wanted to appreciate the taste and texture, and I have been shopping a lot less, since I only spend my money on things I need, not want.

I also realized how much of a blessing America has been to be. Everyone in the Middle East is dying to get a visa to come to America, to give their children opportunities of a lifetime. However, immigration has become much more difficult these days, with quotas decreasing and a hate speech about these people being rampant in America. I am starting my junior year of high school knowing that I need to appreciate my education more and understand that the opportunities in America are limitless.

My parents are the biggest reason why I am in America. They immigrated here when they had nothing, and had to redo their entire education again in America in order to take care of us. The view I have of them is probably the biggest change I noticed from this trip.