At UBC
Days preceding my departure from Nigeria was filled with anxiety coupled with lots of excitement though. The thought of leaving behind family, friends and my native environment also beclouded my mind suggesting I will miss home greatly.
Arrival day at UBC with other scholars
My first week at the Graduate Scholar’s Bootcamp can be summarised using these adjectives: pleasurable, engaging and reflective.
Meeting the faces behind the congratulatory, instructional and ‘financial’ mails I’ve been receiving since March was a very memorable event. Maya and Yola, both MasterCard Foundation staff are very loving and amazing people. The MasterCard Foundation has endowed a lot to fund my graduate studies at UBC. Hence, I must do all to justify this huge investment by ensuring I excel in my studies, gain appropriate skills and competencies needed to rightly position me to make meaningful impacts in my community and Africa in general. In addition to building valuable networks that can support and invest in the development of Africa and in the achievement of my dreams.
On meeting my fellow graduate scholars, I found in them new friends, family and more importantly growth partners that can be collaborated with to achieve set goals. The few moments we’ve spent together seem we’ve been together for a decade or more. We are all bonding well. Numerous similarities exist between us all, common to us all was the disadvantaged background each one of us grew out from which today by God’s grace has turned to be a great advantage for us. Notwithstanding these similarities, our individual uniqueness still remains noticeable and distinctive. This in a way has marked each one out, presenting us all the opportunity to complement each other as we work towards achieving both personal and collective goals.
2017 UBC MCF GRADUATE SCHOLARS
Furthermore, I was quite fascinated by sights of many beautiful gigantic high-rise buildings on the UBC campus and guess what I had the opportunity to enter the magnificent and artistic Forest Science Centre (that’s my faculty) during our campus tour. I remember watching YouTube videos of the faculty building over and over again back at home in Nigeria. Isn’t that dream come through?
At the prestigious Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
The in-house orientation programs at the Global Lounge has been very educating, exciting, revealing (especially getting to know more about myself and other scholars), in addition to trying to new type of foods during lunch. Also of great significance was our meeting with Gillard at downtown, Vancouver presented to me opportunity to learn practical solutions to the problems of indigenous people through his Groundswell company. His sincerity, unique story and wealth of experience in the business and education spheres remains a case study of a person committed to developing workable solutions and systems for local communities and government. I won’t forget to mention moments at Kitsilano beach. Lovely experience.
At Kitsilano Beach
For me I think I draw a lot of lessons and ideas during moments of reflection. The first week activities provided such moments a number of times. I have been reminded of some interesting things about myself through the activities of the first week. I owe my present position and privileges to the grace of God over my life. I can boldly say – I am what I am by the grace of God. God’s grace has continually provided the ability to be focused and determined in the face of distractions and seemingly insurmountable situations. Also, learnt that I’m a thoughtful and creative personality.
As the saying goes that challenges are part of life. My first week in UBC presented me with some challenges. Dealing with jet lag took a couple of days. Getting to eat the new varieties of food being served both at my residence and other meetings remains a topmost challenge to me. Surprisingly, meals served in my residence have long names which I can’t pronounce most times. Although, I’m trying hard to learn the foods (Indian and Malaysian foods, pizza, dessert amongst others).
Quite enjoyable meal. Bread and egg now!
Hence, I usually have a lot of waste after most meals since I don’t seem to enjoy the meals. Hope to master the food soon enough in the coming days… as if I have a choice. Also, due to my local Nigerian background, I find it challenging to pick the diction of most people hear as well as they don’t seem to pick mine. I remember struggling to hear the preaching of the pastor during service at the university chapel on Sunday. Goodnews, I’m getting better by the day both to understand their diction and to also work on mine.
After Church service at University Chapel
I guess for everyone, the weather remains a challenge to cope with.
Story continues…
At SJC Clock Tower