Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home.
When I was a student, I experienced bully, discrimination, and racism. I was the only black girl with curly hair in my entire senior high school, and people saw me as I was the ugliest girl alive. Nobody wanted to walk with me outside the classroom, because every time I set foot on the school’s corridor, all the popular kids would make fun of me by singing Papuan traditional songs.
I got so used to walk by myself through that scary and crowded corridor. Sometimes they screamed and laughed right through my ear, took my bag and threw it all around, and I saw all the popular girls stood there and laughed “Hey, you guys are so mean to her! hahahaha…”
Three years passed by and I barely made friends through that high school years. However, I am proud of myself for being so brave and laser focused. Instead of being knocked down by the bullies, I put all my energy and mind to pursue my dream which was to study abroad.
I used to watch some series and got amazed on how students out there read their books while commuting to school, lay down on the schools’ park with their friends, or just enjoy alone time in the library, studying while sipping to their cup of coffee. Oh, what a life to live.
I loved their independence, confidence, and the multicultural environment that they lived in.
Finally, my dream came true. I got accepted by Saxion University, a private university located in Enschede, The Netherlands.
The moment I arrived there felt instantly like home. The autumn breeze gently embraced my skin. My housemates, two beautiful Russians gave us a warm welcome and took us around the city center by their bike. I remember one lady on the street complimented my curly hair “Hey, I love you hair! You look so beautiful!”
I felt butterflies in my stomach. In my whole life never have I heard anyone compliment my big curly hair or my dark skin.
The university was certainly the moment when I began to repair my broken self-image. I started to accept myself and its complexions, and to be myself unapologetically.
My hair is maybe big and curly, but it sets me apart from all other people in the room. My skin is maybe dark and hairy, but it’s just as clean and healthy as you guys with the white skin.
I learned that to be accepted and loved, you don’t have to fit in and be the same as anyone else. Thank you Holland for teaching me these important life lessons. I am forever grateful to have traveled and spent my five unforgettable years in your cold yet beautiful places.
Bless This Mess 