I took my first flight out to the West.

It was she first time I was leaving my family for a long period of time.

It was the first time I took a plane.

It was the first time I was feeling so vulnerable and small and young.

It was my first time in the USA.

10 years ago, my life changed.

Going to the USA for a year was one of the best decisions of my life:

I learned so much, about others, about the importance of a family, about being brave, about living the way you want to, but mostly about me.

I learned that you have to be part of a strong family to be able to survive out there but also that people will help you in any way possible if you're in need.

I learned that you choose your life, nobody else does: you make your own path and you make mistakes you'd be sure not to make again.

I learned that if you really want something, you just go and get it, no matter the circumstances and the difficulties.

I learned that distance relationship are hard but not impossible: I've made the bestest of friends during that period.

I saw clichés about the Americans fall apart, I saw clichés about the Americans make me smile.

I saw how beautiful life can be when you have the freedom of living each day as it comes.

I saw freedom for the first time.

Yes, ten years ago I decided to live my life the way I wanted it to be and there are no regrets.