All Around the World

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All Around the World

ID # 3699

Hi, everyone! My name is Ruksona Usmanova and I am a junior at UNC-Chapel Hill, double majoring in Global Studies with the concentration in Economics and European Union Intergration. I was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and lived there until I was 14.

Growing up my family and I traveled a lot around the European and Asian continents due to my Dad’s job. I was a happy child who loved to travel but always knew in my mind that in a week I will be in my own house, in my own room, and have my favorite toys. But one day in 2004, my family decided to move to United States with a hope “for a better education and opportunities” for their children. As a child, of course I did not yet understand what that means but followed my own intuition.

Moving to a completely new country, means building your life from the beginning., however as a child you do not realize this and sometimes drown among many challenges you have to face in a new environment. I was lucky enough to get in to a very diverse school where I was welcomed by many kids who became my long-time friends and administration that helped me to adjust to a new community. I am very thankful for my teachers and culturally educated students that allowed for this transition to be fun and smooth but not all schools are like that. After my own experience,  I hope to spread global awareness, tell my own story, and teach students about different cultures so the next time they meet someone new from another continent, he or she is not a stranger to them but a new friend with whom they will share many memories ahead.

Since 2004, I lived in Durham-Chapel Hill area up until my fall semester of Sophomore year when I decided it is time to explore again! Since high school I was studying Spanish and the minute I learned about study abroad programs, I knew I want to go to Spain! In January of 2011, I left for the sunny Spain and stayed there until June 2011.

A trip to Spain was another major event that changed my life drastically. I met students from all around the world, from France to Australia to Canada, all in a tiny city of Salamanca. In 6 months, I made amazing, new friends that I still keep in touch with and we already have visited each other and continue making plans for future. However, I am not sure if I would ever take on this trip if I have not moved once already from my home country and was welcomed so nicely by American students. My first experience boosted my confidence, made me want to challenge myself even more, explore new cultures, and learn new languages. Therefore, I hope each student has an experience with a new culture either at home or by traveling so in the future she or he is not afraid of new “challenges” which turn out to be sweet, lifetime memories that they will cherish in the future.

During my trip to Spain, I was lucky to be able to visit Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Greece, Italy, and finally France,  where I have been to many times due to my relatives living there. After a study abroad in Spain, I knew I want to major in Global/European Studies and learn even more about Europe!

I am very excited to participate in this amazing course and can not wait to share my stories and experiences with students of all ages. Looking forward to meet you all! 🙂