I almost never have time to write my family how I am abroad. Because of Thanksgiving and sweet feelings about home, I decided to dedicate this article to one of the most important people in my life, my mom, so she can know how I am doing here, in the United States.

“Mom, I hope you are proud of me. I’ve always wanted for you to be proud of me, and now I feel like I've achieved my goal. I feel like with my first year in college and now being abroad in the U.S. I finally showed you that everything you gave me wasn’t in vain. I hope that soon I will be able to give you back as much as you gave me. Now I have only my love and gratitude.

Mom, I hope you had time to enjoy having a break of me. I know I can be really annoying and sometimes I act like a child, which is not really proper for a woman 21 years old. But, you know, this trip made an adult of me. I officially consider myself to be an adult. However, actually… The first thing I will do back home is wrap myself in a blanket and ask you to make me a cup of tea. Because I missed your care so much while being here and living all alone in a small room in a dorm.

Mom, you were right, any experience is important. Studying in a foreign country, meeting new people, dealing with adult life on your own etc. I’m so happy that you trust me and believe in. And that you didn’t listen to some of your colleagues who told you “How can you let your child go so far and for such a long time?” You are the bravest mom ever.

Mom, I’m happy that you don’t call me every hour to ask how I am here. That means you are an official adult now too, right? Welcome to adult club! You don’t make me worry about you by not calling me, on the contrary, I know that you enjoy your free-time without me, and it’s great!

Mom, I don’t know what else to say. I love you. “

Actually, my mom doesn’t know English. I’m pretty honest, when I'm back home, I will have to translate all my articles for her to be even more proud of me than she is now. But I hope she reads this and understands at least something. I believe in her as much as she believes in me.

Мам, я в порядке. Скоро буду дома.

[Mom, I’m fine. I’ll be back home soon (translated from Russian)]