From the countless ruined shoes to the gentle tulle of recital costumes, dancing has provided an outlet and sense of security throughout my life. When I enter the studio, my current problems fade away into the background, slowly with each beat. As the crescendos move through the room and the lights blind me, I feel at home.

When I moved from Dubai to Georgia, I felt alone without my culture and old friends. I was faced with an array of unknowns and new problems to ponder, I did not know where to start rebuilding the scraps of my old life. A few weeks later, my parents signed me up in a new studio, and I started feeling a little less worried about my new life. Suddenly, I had made the acquaintances of new friends. Although I was still learning the vernacular english, we were able to connect through the power of music and the beauty of dance. Throwing our arms up in unison and slightly extending our legs, I noticed that this was one of only places where my language and culture did not act as boundaries between my old life and new life. No matter where I move, I know I will always have ballet as a form of communication.