Embracing Identity: A Journey from New York to Berlin Anonymous

“And the gold medal goes to…” My heart pounded as if it knew something I didn’t. My fingers gripped the sides of my desk, nails digging in. My teacher paused, her eyes scanning the room before landing on me. “Anna Kilasonia!”

For a split second, time froze. The words hung in the air as disbelief washed over me. The classroom erupted in cheers, and everything sped up. People were clapping, shouts of my name echoed. The medal felt cool as it settled around my neck, its weight both solid and surreal.

As I lifted it up, the cheers grew louder. But amidst the noise, my thoughts raced to the moments that led me here—the fear, confusion and tears. For years, I’d been trying to find my footing in this foreign country Germany, searching my place in a world that didn’t feel like mine. Now, I stood before my classmates, not just accepted, but celebrated. That moment wasn’t just about winning—it was a culmination of everything I'd worked for; it was about reclaiming my voice. It proved I found my place not by erasing who I was, but by embracing it.

However, the path to this moment had been anything but smooth. In the bustling heart of New York, I began a journey transcending borders, cultures, and expectations. It was amidst the...