As a teenager in the united states, when you reach the age of 18, all you think to yourself is that you are about to graduate from high school, and you have to choose which college you are going to attend. While this path is the same for all teenagers around the world it also varies by country. Living in Lebanon, a country that has seen many wars and economic collapses over the course of its history, my future depended on the fate of the country. 2017 was like any typical year for me as a college student, although nothing major was happening in the country at the time, working and making a living was harder than ever. Back in 1998, I was lucky to have been born in the state of Michigan, the USA, I was nationalized as an American but have lived most of my life in Beirut.

I was a recent high school graduate and was admitted to the Lebanese American University, in my second semester my father went through some financial issue that led to me taking a little break from college until was back on his feet. I spent the remainder of the year at home and mostly going out with my friends and family until I was able to be admitted to continue my education at the beginning of 2018. My father gave me the option of either continuing my education at a cheaper American University of Science and Technology or do good research on a country I would like to go live in. My First option was going to London, England. It was not that far from home and the main language was English, which made communication much easier for me. As I did thorough research and contacting colleges back and forth, I discovered that London was way out of my budget to live in as an international student, so I had to find an alternative.

My mother came in contact with her uncle who has recently moved from Abu Dhabi to Houston for work and also had my cousin admitted to the University of Houston. Coming to the states was also a bit too expensive as well and far away, it was a more reliable option as I found it was easier finding a job and making money as a citizen of the country. I got admitted to Houston Community College and was set to begin in the spring of the upcoming year. As the year was coming to an end, December was upon me and the time for a new chapter in my life was beginning. It was not until how close I was to leave, that I realized what I was leaving behind. My family, friends, and loved ones came to see me for the last time before my flight. As a young 19 year old about to leave my life behind and begin a new one, I was terrified, yet I was ready. December 17th, 2017, I left Beirut, on my way to Houston where a new chapter in my life began, I was able to travel back and forth to visit my family and friends, but my life has changed from there, and so did my future.