Last summer, nine very different young people took a step that changed their life.
They embarked on a journey from childhood to adulthood.
From the edge of the Arctic circle to the secretive world of the Japanese geisha, this 90 minute film charts a crucial point in these children's adolescence as they finally come of age.
Through their personal stories, the film reveals the universal themes that both unite and divide us.
Click on the photographs above to find out more about each child and their particular coming of age experience.
Coming of Age was broadcast in the UK on Tuesday, 22nd February, 2005 at 2100 GMT on BBC Two.
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