While traveling to a new place and starting a new life, a new job, building new relations, you will always be accompanied by one constant: things are going to change.

Since my arrival in Macedonia, this is what I struggle with the most. I keep telling myself I want to discover as much as possible in this one year, to be open, to see life from different angles. But at the same time, I am also afraid of the new versions of myself that might emerge at the end of this journey. 

Here, we can find the beauty of change. Yes, it is scary and new, but what if there’s a way better version of ourselves or reality awaiting us at the end? 

New styles of music and art, the fight against discrimination and even revolutions always required people who were willing to stand up and say: I want things to change. 

In this edition of our VOICES magazine, you will find many stories that talk about the beautiful outcomes change can bring. To me personally, this is a reminder to say “yes“ to new things more often. If you also need this push sometimes, let this edition be your motivation as well.

Lea Schwegmann