“Normal” Never Existed

Kezia Nania Manik —INA KL YES to USA YP 23/24

“We’re going to buy the most beautiful prom dresses, do our makeup together, and have the best sleepover!”

That’s what 15 year old Kezia and her friends indulged in every single time the topic of graduation came up. Life back home wasn’t perfect but I had my “normal” life, I had my “scheduled” life, and I had my “familiar” life. Going abroad in my high school years was something I didn’t know was in the cards for me. It never crossed my mind, nor did I ever venture to try to find that opportunity.

But all of that changed on one distinctive night I vividly can recall. I was yet again doing something I called “normal” back home, which was studying for a history exam late at night with my best friend on call. Her mom who was behind her told me about this program. Only one emotion filled me that night. Fear.

I was horrified with the fact I was faced with a great opportunity. I grew up moving countless times because of my parents’ studies which resulted in constant adapting, making new friends, and always out of my comfort zone, making me yearn for only one thing, the feelings of belongingness. That’s how my comfort zone became my best friend and my greatest enemy. I knew that taking this opportunity would be greatly beneficial for myself, but at the same time I just didn’t want to leave.

But suddenly a quote struck me, “What doesn’t scare you, won’t help you grow.” Just like how I learned that my comfort zone could be my worst enemy, I found out that fear could also be my best friend. I made up my mind and tried my best at the program and thankfully with the support of my family, friends, teachers, and God, I was thrilled to be accepted into this program.

I have never once regretted that decision. I have met countless new people and have created numerous cherished memories with them. Being here challenged my perception of normality. Everything I experienced back home was my version of “normal”. Going to school at 6.30 am was normal, coming home at 5 pm and taking a nap was normal, having dinner on my own was normal, and spending my friday evenings at the mall with my friends was normal. Coming here taught me that “normal” never really existed. We all have our own tailored version of normal and its definition will never be constant. My normal now includes having dinner everyday with my family and having after school activities such as sports and clubs.

I have been able to become an ambassador of my country and introduce it to many people. Making sure that I am always the best version of myself because I realize how powerful my actions are in people’s perspective on Indonesia, hoping every time I gave them a memorable impression in which they would forever remember my country. I thrive to be able to make my country proud. One of the biggest opportunities I had was to present my country on International Education Week. I got to introduce my country’s diverse ethnicity, music, art, religion, flag, language, and what my day was like back home. I was met with unmatched enthusiasm which gave me great happiness.

I was also privileged to go traveling with my host family. I got to see all the great lakes in the Upper Peninsula, visited an Island where they had no automobiles, went to the amazing museums in Chicago, and traveled around the area I’m staying at. My host family always tries to ensure I get a good introduction and sense of the places we go traveling to.

School has been the farthest thing to normal. I have a different schedule, I learn things differently, get to experience new teaching styles from teachers, and many more. I got to go to my first American football game, shop for my first homecoming dress with my friends in one of the biggest malls in the world, and participate in some school events. My school has a program that mixes special education kids and normal education kids together in a class called connections. There, we have group discussions and play games with each other and it has opened my eyes to how different and yet how similar we are. I intend to go back home and further educate myself about what I can do to help.

I can’t wait to see what the next 5 months have in store for me. What last minute decisions lead me to and what type of new people I will meet. But I know for sure whatever it is, I know it will be memorable and exciting.