I was born in the Eastern part of Germany nine years before the German wall--and with it the Iron Curtain--fell. Growing up in a socialist country I remember a happy childhood but also subtle indoctrination.
Little did I know about world politics when Germany reunited. As a 9 year old I was overwhelmed by the unprecedented abundance of colorfully wrapped consumer products. Then change approached the schools. Learning Russian wasn't mandatory anymore, no more collective after school activities.
The world changed. Countries which used to be our "Big Brothers" and friends--Russia and the Eastern Bloc States--crumbled and fell apart. I had to "de-learn" and "re-learn" which countries were "bad or good". Communism versus capitalism. Red or black.
20 years later I've lived and worked in various different countries: the United States, South Africa, Cambodia and the Philippines. Not to mention the countries I explore traveling. Opportunities my parents never had. The walled country they lived in walled their minds and jailed their dreams.
With those who can't see with their own eyes I want to share my World Wide View.
Little did I know about world politics when Germany reunited. As a 9 year old I was overwhelmed by the unprecedented abundance of colorfully wrapped consumer products. Then change approached the schools. Learning Russian wasn't mandatory anymore, no more collective after school activities.
The world changed. Countries which used to be our "Big Brothers" and friends--Russia and the Eastern Bloc States--crumbled and fell apart. I had to "de-learn" and "re-learn" which countries were "bad or good". Communism versus capitalism. Red or black.
20 years later I've lived and worked in various different countries: the United States, South Africa, Cambodia and the Philippines. Not to mention the countries I explore traveling. Opportunities my parents never had. The walled country they lived in walled their minds and jailed their dreams.
With those who can't see with their own eyes I want to share my World Wide View.
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