Beyond Cultural Immersion: 2023 Alumna Completes the Yoruba Fulbright-Hays Project Abroad in Nigeria8/25/2024 My name is Ameerah Thomas, or Àdùké, a sophomore philosophy major at Howard University from Miami, FL. This past summer, I had the amazing opportunity to study Yorùbá at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria for a duration of 8 weeks. Now that the fall semester has started and I’m getting back into my routine as an American student, I often look back at my recent experience as a Yorùbá student. My 8 weeks in Nigeria were nothing short of amazing, but equally as challenging. The many experiences I’ve had have shaped me into a more worldly person, more open than ever to take risks and experience different cultures. Being a lighter-skinned African-American woman, I certainly had trouble navigating Nigerian culture at first, and truth be told, my experiences surely kept me down at times. However, I think it takes such experiences to make someone more worldly, to unlearn the conditions placed by American society, especially when it comes to culture, race, and language. Once I became comfortable with my differences, my heart was open to experiencing all that Nigerian culture has to offer. The experiences I’ve had connecting with locals, eating traditional food, seeing different parts of Nigeria, and bonding with my group are all things that I continuously think about now that I am back in the States. It’s amazing how one person can live a completely different life from their own. I feel as though the Ameerah I met in Nigeria is drastically different from the Ameerah in the United States. It teaches you that there are so many versions of yourself to be discovered, and that travel and education are huge gateways for self-discovery. My experience was otherworldly, and words cannot fully express the gratitude I have for my group—my teachers, my peers, and the friends I made abroad. Peace and love! Sincerely, Àdùké Ameerah Thomas Cohort 2023
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I began this journey with so many questions swirling in my mind: What does it mean to lead with love? Why am I nervous to meet new people? What if the kids or the girls don’t like me? What if the plane ride is scary? These questions marked the start of something transformative, a way for me to truly understand the purpose of this cultural immersion experience. This trip was about building deep connections, meaningful ones with people and nature alike. From the vibrant green grass to the red clay staining my shoes, from the bustling city streets to the serene, bumpy roads, every moment taught me to be present and grateful. I learned to cherish the sounds of laughter and conversation among family and newfound friends. The girls I met taught me invaluable lessons not just about myself but about embracing and appreciating others. They helped me see the beauty in loving and cherishing the world around me while keeping my mind open to new ideas. I realized it’s okay to begin with fear because it often leads to something greater. By the end of this journey, I was filled with hope and a sense of purpose. Fear became a stepping stone to faith and growth. Now, back in Miami, surrounded by the familiar noise of my family, I can answer the questions that once filled me with doubt. The plane rides weren’t scary; they were exhilarating, like the thrilling start of a roller coaster. The kids and girls I met didn’t just like me, they embraced me, and we created bonds that blossomed into a sisterhood. My nervousness wasn’t a sign of weakness; it was a reflection of my excitement to connect with new people. Finally, I understand the most important question: What does it mean to lead with love? It means building positive connections, approaching every situation with kindness, and carrying a spirit of love in all you do. This cultural immersion was just the beginning of my journey. It opened my eyes to new perspectives, revealed the person I aspire to become, and taught me to explore, learn, and grow. For that, I am endlessly grateful. Antwaniyah Massie Cohort 2024 I feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to explore different parts of the world while making a positive impact. This journey was truly unforgettable. The bonds I formed with the Love Leaders were nothing short of remarkable—from being strangers at the beginning to building deep connections as we got to know each other's unique personalities and backgrounds. Initially, I was anxious and unsure if I would fit in with the group, especially as the youngest with a bold personality. But as the trip progressed, my perspective shifted completely. I was able to connect with these amazing women on a deeper level, forming a strong sisterhood with individuals who shared my values of giving back to communities. It was eye-opening to realize that despite our differences, we all shared the same common goal: making a difference in the world. The unity and support within the group were incredibly inspiring, and for the first time, I felt a true sense of belonging. Through our shared experiences and passion for helping others, I came to see the beauty in diversity and the immense strength that comes from coming together for a greater cause. This journey not only allowed me to see the world but also opened my eyes to the power of collaboration and the importance of building meaningful connections with like-minded individuals. I am deeply grateful for this experience and the lifelong friendships it brought into my life. Emori Dennis Cohort 2024 On our first night in Dar es Salaam, fear gripped me as I lay in bed, and I wanted nothing more than to go home. But when I woke up the next morning, everything changed. The delicious omelets and the sweetest watermelon I’ve ever tasted instantly lifted my spirits. I found myself excited about the week ahead and eagerly anticipating our upcoming travels. This trip taught me so much about myself. I realized I’m not as high maintenance as I once thought. Back home, people often joked that I wouldn’t last a day in a developing country, but I proved them wrong. I’m proud that I could spend a week away from home, away from all the comforts of America, and feel completely at peace. Disconnecting from my phone felt freeing, allowing me to truly be present and absorb the world around me. Even the language barrier in Tanzania, which initially seemed daunting, turned out to be a minor hurdle. With patience and effort, we managed to have meaningful conversations with locals. One of my favorite experiences was the journey to Kigoma and the bumpy ride to the village. Despite the rough roads, I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure. The massive hills, vibrant markets, and diverse villages along the way were fascinating to witness. Meeting the Rotary women of Tanzania was another unforgettable highlight. Their stories were deeply insightful, and connecting with them was both inspiring and humbling. This journey was truly transformative, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and experience a world so different from my own. Siara Lewis Cohort 2024 This trip was an incredible experience, and I’m so grateful I chose to come to Tanzania. I learned so much, including some Swahili! Now I can say “Jambo” and “Mambo” with confidence. The safari was a dream come true—I saw lions, monkeys, hippos, and even an elephant up close! Beyond the amazing sights, this journey taught me some powerful life lessons, especially about holding onto hope when things don’t go as planned. We faced a few challenges, like transportation issues, but it showed me the importance of perseverance. I gained so much respect for everyone on this trip, and I loved the bonds we built. There was never a dull moment—we were always laughing together. I was lucky to make new friendships, and my roommates were amazing. Even the food was great (despite some long waits), and it rarely disappointed. Every moment was unforgettable. The people of Tanzania welcomed us warmly, and I was able to step out of my comfort zone and try things I never imagined doing. Whenever someone asks if there’s anything I’d change about this trip, I always say, “No, everything happened just as it was meant to.” This experience has truly opened my eyes, and I hope to continue helping people in different parts of the world. Oldina Bigot Cohort 2024 Today we hopped on the bus and traveled 30 mins to Coconut Hound Haven. When we arrived at Coconut Hound Haven, we met Daniela, one of the directors. As we walked through the gate our ears flooded with dog barks. It wasn’t until this point that we learned who was a true dog lover and who did not like dogs. The dog lover in me instantly wanted to adopt all of the dogs and take them home. We gathered around Daniela to receive our tasks for the day. Five of us were assigned to bathe dogs, two of us would be planting trees, and the rest would be walking dogs. I volunteered to plant and got straight to work. We entered the backyard area where larger and more active dogs were kept. As soon as I entered the planting area, 5 dogs jumped on me, others tried biting my hands, while shy dogs ran away and hid. Not only was I able to plant trees that will eventually provide shade for the dogs, but I also established a strong and affectionate connection between the dogs. After planting 2 trees, I cleaned one of the dog cages which is where the dogs sleep at night. When we arrived back at the house, we announced the raffle winners through Instagram live which was a fun experience. Victoria Bofill Cohort 2023    Today is July 20, 2023. Now today wasn’t exactly my favorite day but I still got a chance to give service in some way. I have always had the worst experiences with dogs from being bitten to being chased by four dogs all at once. I even grasped onto Victoria when one of the dogs jumped the gate to fight another dog. It was hilarious, but still very frightening. I did end up meeting the first and probably last dog that I will ever like and that was Duque. I guess he could sense my fear and sat in front of me to protect me from the other dogs. Even though I was still terrified, I appreciated Duque’s protectiveness. Maybe this will be the catalyst that changes the way I see dogs. Who knows? I didn’t get to be of much service because of my fear, but I did give Duque some water and considering my history with dogs, that’s was lot! Ameerah Thomas Cohort 2023    Today was a very productive day volunteering at Soy Niña, Soy Importante. Seeing everyone just so happy to be present in the moment with great laughs and smiles makes me even happier to be here.. Having the opportunity to experience 2 workshops with them was amazing. Seeing how excited they were to launch their bottle rocket and getting to know them by the affirmations they chose for themselves was truly heartwarming. After the two workshops, they offered us an opportunity to stay and have lunch with them. I loved eating with the girls because we could freely interact without an agenda or workshop. Their staff was so kind and insisted that we ate before we left, but before we could leave, we participated in the Soy Nina, Soy Importante tradition of singing, dancing, and doing the limbo. Overall, it was a great time being with them. After community service, we went home to refresh, then went to a dance class to learn a traditional Dominican Dance, La Bachata. At the beginning of the class, I was enthusiastic and eager to learn, but by then end of the session, I was over it. The moves were getting more complicated and my legs weren’t doing their job, LOL. But other than that, it was a fun experience and of course the other Global Love Leaders made it even more fun. They cracked jokes to make me and others laugh, which I’d say I’m really grateful to have shared a laugh with them. We then went home to refresh and enjoy dinner together. We had salmon, steak, and potatoes, which was delicious. Being at the dinner table brings so much joy to me because we are all together at the same time, enjoying what others have to share about their day both good and bad. It’s a real sisterhood and I love it. Doing community service, and sharing moments of joy, laughter and challenges was the highlight of this day. After dinner, we meditated and journaled about gratitude. I honestly enjoyed journaling about gratitude. I was so grateful for everything, I began to cry. I felt so emotional and overjoyed with gratitude. What a blessing! After journaling, we headed to bed to rest. That was our day of sisterhood and service. Amy Rodriguez Cohort 2023     I've always had the opportunity to work with children. Children are incredibly happy and full of energy. As I've met more children, I've been inspired to teach and learn more about them. Today, I got the chance to visit a summer camp in Miches called "Soy Niña, Soy Important," which means I am a girl and I am important. I started crying because of how I felt when these girls screamed those words. I frequently hear the statements ``you matter" or "everyone matters," yet I have never in my life heard it with such power. It was extremely lovely to see little girls between the ages of 8 and 10 understand the value of being girls and being able to recognize it. It brought me so much joy to talk to them. The girls were all interested in me and wanted to know what languages I spoke, my hair, my friends, and what I enjoy doing in my spare time.. The science project was a blast, LITERALLY for the girls in my group, but they enjoyed getting to know me and the other Global Love Leaders even more. It was really uplifting to observe them behave so enthusiastically around other girls. I had a great time today and will always treasure the time I spent with them. I will undoubtedly return to Miches to work with the girls. I am very grateful to have been someone who ultimately gave them a great day! Carmen Berrio Cohort 2023    Today is July 18, 2023. We began our day with a hearty breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and eggs because we knew we were going to need a lot of strength to make it through the eventful day. We left the villa to enter an amazing experience at the Scape Park Adventure Park. Once we entered the Park, we went to the Hoyo Azul, which is known for having a cave with nice views. In Hoyo Azul we had the opportunity to jump in the 49ft deep water cave which I overcame a fear of deep water dives. I’m glad the love leaders encouraged me to jump because I was extremely hesitant. They chanted my name from the water below and shouted “you can do it Debbie!”. With all of their encouragement, I leapt forward and plunged into the beautiful blue water cave. The water below was so COLD, but I swam to my sisters and rejoiced because I was so proud of myself. After our group dip in the Hoyo Azul, we took a 1.5 mile hike to the zipline area. While ziplining, we had the chance to see the whole park! I took in all the captivating views and took full advantage of the opportunity to connect with nature. When we arrived at the ziplining platform, I decided to be the first person to zipline to encourage other Love Leaders, in case some of them were afraid. I loved ziplining because it was an adventurous way to see the entire park from above. At times, you could see all the way to the ocean. After ziplining, we traveled to the other side of the park where we visited another cave to take a dip. To enter the Cave Swim we encountered a path called the Cultural Route where it was my first time observing big rocks (used as chairs) gathered in a spread out circle. The Cultural Route had several old living spaces and community areas used by the natives of the country. We could imagine what it would be like to be a villager of the country prior to colonization. When we entered the Cave, I noticed it was not that deep, but boy was it freezing cold. It must have been like 60 degrees in that water. We splashed around the cave for a while until we couldn’t take the temperature any longer. Last up on the adventure tour was Saltos Azules. Saltos Azules included an obstacle called the Trapezio Mabey. Many of the Global Love Leaders including myself, were a bit nervous, better yet terrified about doing it. I observed the other Love Leaders doing it and figured if they could do it, so could I. Lucky for me, I ended up being the last person to jump before the park closed. So I held on to the handles and went for it. Once the whistle blows, you’re supposed to let go of the handles and fall into the Saltos Azules. The jump was invigorating and I am so glad that I was able to overcome my fear with my sisters. Splash, splash to a wonderful day full of adventure! Debbie Campos Cohort 2023   |