Meaghan Jones
Meaghan is from Australia and currently resides there, after spending nearly a year in Mongolia. She has travelled all over her home country and reflects on what it's like to always be "on the move."
As a teenager, what puts pressure on you? What’s important to you?
Well, as a teenager I think that the things that stress me out the most are most likely school and assessments. Also, I should think fitting in at school. I think my friends opinion is very important – I don’t do anything without getting their approval.
What kind of activities do you do to relax? What matters in your life?
Things that matter to me…my friends, I guess. I enjoy hanging out with my friends and experiencing new ways of life. To relax, I draw some times or go on long walks.
How does being a teenager change from being a child?
Well, your friendships change – friends become way more important and family a lot less. Boys also become a very important part in life…and lots of teenagers feel compelled to fall into the pattern that you must date to be cool. I think that because of peer pressure, many teenagers are “forced” to do things they will regret later on.
How is adolescence in Mongolia different from adolescence in Australia?
Well, in Mongolia no one was expected to be…experienced with certain things. Where as in Australia we have a lot of experience with stuff. I would say there’s also less peer pressure in Mongolia. When you live abroad, many of the people are in the same situation as you so you don’t feel out of place. Most of the people have moved before and know what it’s like.
Which one do you prefer? Living abroad or in Australia?
In Mongolia, people didn’t have the inside humour as Australians do…I prefer living in Australia, because I feel more at home and everyone speaks English.
How do you see yourself compared to other teenagers?
I think that many other teenagers feel like they have to fill the boots the media has given them. And I think I’m a pretty wild person!
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