When I came to college
I learned so much about the world outside of my small town of Chantilly by meeting such a multifarious array of people. In the past year, this has helped me develop my perspectives and ideals, thus my principals as a citizen. Last semester I went on a road trip to Chicago with my best friend and experienced the meaning of being an independent American. Having the freedom at the age of 18 to take a road trip half way across the country is a privilege in and of itself. We essentially lived in this brand new city for four days and I loved every moment of it. We had money from working our above minimum wage salaries and had the protection to walk on our own throughout the city despite us being two women with no head coverings. What I’m trying to say is that in other countries around the world, such a spontaneous and free road trip would not be possible because of political and social standards. In America you can drive on an organized highway system to the destination of your choice and wear and say what we want as we do it. As I walked through the streets of Wicker Park with my best friend I looked at the land of the free and I felt at peace. I am not hesitant at all to say that America is not perfect but every once in a while we as citizens must take the time to appreciate the freedoms we have here that other parts of the world are neglected from.

picture taken by Fareeha Khan