Many of my posts refered to my trip in many different ways, I got to write about the amazing people I met and the experiences I had. I just finished writing my last blog and of course mentioned my goal of heading back to Africa sooner rather than later!
Here is the blog post!
First semester in just a
matter of days will be complete, and many of us will be heading home for
Christmas with family and friends. But as I reflect on these past few months, I
really do see growth in all of us in many different ways. Over the weeks I have
learned so much about myself and made many new friends from many places, I have
enjoyed all my classes and can’t wait till next semester. This semester has
really taught me many new things about college and just what is expected of me.
My greatest accomplishment wasn’t necessarily academic but it was a growing
experience. Since I graduated high school two years ago, I had been very tentative
to going back to school, but I am beyond glad I made this decision and have
started this amazing journey.
My end goal has always been heading back to
Africa, with or without medical training. I have always had a dream or a goal
of opening an orphanage somewhere in West Africa, so every day I could wake up
and be greeted with dozens of precious smiles. During our last full in class time last week,
when we got to watch an amazing video I turned to the person beside me and said
“I want to go back to Africa today.” That really is my dream, when I went last
year I never realized just how much of an impact it would have on me, I always
knew I would enjoy it but I just didn’t think I would want to end up there
forever. Africa is really good at capturing your heart and keeping a part of it
there. I don’t want to go back for myself, I want to go back to just be in the
atmosphere that makes them so happy. The people I had the privilege of meeting
in many ways were way happier than us North Americans, which is the joy I want
to experience.
I have always tried to think
of unique quotes or sayings when I finish something, they are not much but they
can mean something to the right person. Though one semester may be done,
another lies ahead with its own surprises and adventures. Some pieces of
advice that have always helped me along,
are laugh often and always try to smile
even when it seems like you have no idea where you are headed. Just know
that someday it will get better, you cannot focus on the bad or the negative,
it may not happen today or tomorrow but one day you will get that dream you
have always hoped for.
Another quote by Mahatma Gandhi is, “Be the change you wish to see in the world”.
These are very simple words but they hold such an amazing message and really
help you when you have a hard day or just need to hear some encouragement.
I really am enjoying school and cannot to further my education and head back over seas!
