November

November was filled with ups and downs making it the toughest and the most rewarding month so far. Through the challenges I faced this month I feel they have grown me as a person and taught me important lessons in perseverance. Without difficulties exchange wouldn’t be as enriching as it is. Although I often only share the fun moments I feel it’s important to be honest and show the not so fun side of exchange.

This month began with being robbed. On Halloween night while walking home with my fellow cohort, Devin, a motorcyclist came from behind me and stole my purse containing two cell phones, ID, debit card, and about 10,000 cfa (equal to twenty dollars). Everything happened so quickly that I only remember fragments; My purse being tugged, falling to the ground while my bag snapped, and getting up panicked with no purse in sight. At first I didn’t understand what was happening but once I realized I had been robbed the motorcyclist had already sped off around the corner.

           My head was buzzing as I tried to comprehend what had happened and what to do next. I was in complete shock and didn’t know what to do. Luckily, some strangers who saw the incident came to help. A woman consoled me by saying everything was going to be okay. Then a man lent me his phone to call my mom in the US which was extremely kind of him since it costs a lot of money to call that far away. I told her my purse had just been stolen and that we needed to cancel my debit card before it could be used. I fought back the tears as I explained this to her. I was so scared but hearing my mom’s voice assuring me that everything can be replaced and to be brave helped me hold myself together. I never saw the two strangers again but I’m still extremely grateful to them. It means so much to know that despite the bad people in the world there are people like them who will let me call my mom all the way in the US without even knowing who I am.

     I’m also forever grateful to everyone else who helped me during this month as it was not easy to get through. First was Devin who stayed with me the whole night as we went to the police station with our coordinator. Having him there kept my sanity. If I was by myself I know I would have just broke down and not known what to do. He and my other cohorts helped me financially through the month to come as I didn’t have much money left or my debit card to withdraw more. Some specific shoutouts go to Ashtyn for all those ice coffees she paid for, Brittany who bought me peaches for my pie on Thanksgiving, and my host parents for helping me pay for food for Thanksgiving. Additionally, l want to thank for my coordinator who accompanied me to the police station and replaced my program phone.

The most fortunate thing that happened just by coincidence was my principal being in Baltimore during this time which is only twenty minutes away from my house in the US. I reached out to her asking if she could do me a favor by bringing my phone and debit card with her when she came back since they could get stolen using the mail system and would cost a lot of money to send. She happily agreed and she and my parents arranged to meet so they could give her my phone and card. She showed me so much kindness and I am incredibly thankful to her for going out of her way to do that.

Lastly, I want to thank my parents back home for many reasons not just for replacing my phone and card. Over the course of my life they have encouraged me to always strive to be my best and take risks. I wouldn’t be here in Senegal if it weren’t for their support. This month has proven to be a challenging one but having loving parents gave me the strength I needed to persevere. This event and month in general have been difficult but my friends and family have helped me so much that I don’t think I could have done it without them. I’ve learned how to keep cool while under a stressful situation and the importance of reaching out to other people for help.

      November is of course a month about showing thanks given the Thanksgiving holiday. My host family generously offered to host me this year and they have made my exchange so enjoyable and memorable. I wanted to show my gratitude towards them by making Thanksgiving dinner. I had a lot of fun with my sisters making sautéed vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, and an apple pie for dinner. We also had Senegalese style chicken (roasted chicken with spices inside), onion sauce, and Nem which is a Senegalese dish similar to spring rolls. Seeing our cultures come together on the dinner table warmed my heart and represents what I strive to do as an exchange student. I get to experience and learn about Senegalese culture but also bring my own culture and educate people here about America. I’m so thankful for this opportunity and all of the lasting memories I’ve made.

   

     I’ve been giving back to the community by volunteering to teach English at the S.O.S Children’s Village, an orphanage in Dakar. The kids are amazing and I love helping them with English. They are so eager to learn and aren’t afraid to make mistakes. When I ask the class who wants to answer a question everyone raises their hand. They’re all brilliant kids and I’m so excited to watch their improvement in English this year.

     I recently switched from the science track to the litterature track at school and have been enjoying it a lot more. Before I was worrying a lot about understanding physics, chemistry, and math, but now I can focus on learning French since I no longer have those classes. I’m still not 100% fluent but I think I’m on the verge of a breakthrough. I’ve found myself understanding a lot more of what’s being said in class and can converse in average conversations. I was feeling discouraged earlier this month because I thought that I wasn’t learning French fast enough and I was still making a lot of mistakes. As November came to an end I started seeing real results in my French level. The other day I spoke for over an hour entirely in French with only a few minor comprehension mistakes. I was really proud of this but I still have so far to go in terms of learning French. This has shown me that I need to have patience with myself and keep trying even if I feel like I’m getting nowhere.

    November was a month of victories and difficulties but I know that’s the nature of exchange and without difficulties there would be no learning or growth. Recently I started experiencing the first taste of homesickness. With the holidays and basketball season starting back home I’ve started really missing my life in the US. I want to wake up early in the morning and run laps with my team in the freezing cold as crazy as that sounds. I also miss the snow and Christmas time with my family. This year I’ll be celebrating Christmas with my host family which I’m eagerly looking forward to. Despite wishing I was home for the holidays there’s nowhere I’d rather be right now. Opening your world view, experiencing new culture, and challenging yourself is so important in life. I wish the best of luck to everyone who’s applying to YES Abroad this year and encourage those who didn’t to apply next year.