Study Abroad Student Reflects on Semester at LU
Neema Lidya Okal
Issue date: 12/5/07 Section: Opinion
March 30, 2007 can be described as one of my best days on earth. I was chosen along with 50 other students who had applied for an opportunity to study abroad for a semester. Several months later, I would be a enrolled as as a student at Lincoln University.
Today, I am a graduating senior majoring in Journalism with a concentration in Broadcast Media and Public Relations. I always desired to study abroad and when the opportunity presented itself through th United States International University, I jumped at it.
I chose Lincoln University because it is the first HBCU in America. I also felt that attending a black college would provide me with a sense of belonging, something that a predominantly white university could never offer me. Not all my expectations, however, came to reality. Culture shock took the better part of me and early on, I felt like giving up and going back to Kenya. Everything was so strange to me; the students, the lectures, the culture, and above all, the food. I never liked it initially here and would go to visit relatives in New Jersey every weekend to avoid the noise, the food, the students and the school as a whole. Over time, I got used to Lincoln and decided to make the best of my experience here.
There are major differences between Africans and African Americans. After arriving on campus, I found it strange that so many students cursed at everything. In Kenya, we view the use of profanity as a sign of disrespect. I was also sad to learn that so many African Americans know nothing about Africa. Most of the students that I've encountered here at Lincoln, do not know where Kenya is geographically located. Unfortunately, all they know about Africa as a whole is that it suffers from alarming rates of poverty and AIDS.
Still, coming to Lincoln has taught me a lot. The experience has opened my understanding and has forced me to learn a bit more about African Americans. My three months stay at Lincoln is now coming to an end and I have to go back to Kenya for my graduation. Lincoln University will always be in my heart for having offered me an opportunity to study on its campus. I am indebted to my professors for helping me to achieve a quality education. I am also grateful to my fellow students for being accommodating and appreciate the Office of International Students in USIU and Lincoln University for offering such an amazing opportunity. Though my experience has been rough to sail through at times, I have learned a lot. I would encourage African American students here to always apply to study abroad programs in Africa.
Today, I am a graduating senior majoring in Journalism with a concentration in Broadcast Media and Public Relations. I always desired to study abroad and when the opportunity presented itself through th United States International University, I jumped at it.
I chose Lincoln University because it is the first HBCU in America. I also felt that attending a black college would provide me with a sense of belonging, something that a predominantly white university could never offer me. Not all my expectations, however, came to reality. Culture shock took the better part of me and early on, I felt like giving up and going back to Kenya. Everything was so strange to me; the students, the lectures, the culture, and above all, the food. I never liked it initially here and would go to visit relatives in New Jersey every weekend to avoid the noise, the food, the students and the school as a whole. Over time, I got used to Lincoln and decided to make the best of my experience here.
There are major differences between Africans and African Americans. After arriving on campus, I found it strange that so many students cursed at everything. In Kenya, we view the use of profanity as a sign of disrespect. I was also sad to learn that so many African Americans know nothing about Africa. Most of the students that I've encountered here at Lincoln, do not know where Kenya is geographically located. Unfortunately, all they know about Africa as a whole is that it suffers from alarming rates of poverty and AIDS.
Still, coming to Lincoln has taught me a lot. The experience has opened my understanding and has forced me to learn a bit more about African Americans. My three months stay at Lincoln is now coming to an end and I have to go back to Kenya for my graduation. Lincoln University will always be in my heart for having offered me an opportunity to study on its campus. I am indebted to my professors for helping me to achieve a quality education. I am also grateful to my fellow students for being accommodating and appreciate the Office of International Students in USIU and Lincoln University for offering such an amazing opportunity. Though my experience has been rough to sail through at times, I have learned a lot. I would encourage African American students here to always apply to study abroad programs in Africa.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 9
I'm Not A Writer!
posted 12/10/07 @ 8:02 AM EST
That was a great story Neema! The culture shock on campus is one of the main issues that plague Lincoln's campus today. I believe both Africans and African-Americn are misinformed about each sub-culture but if we both take a chance to learn about one another, instead of listening to steretypes, then we might be able to get along better on campus. (Continued…)
Nyandux
posted 12/14/07 @ 1:30 PM EST
Darlin Neema,
This was excellent. I particularly liked the line where you say that profanity is viewed as a sign of disrespect. Power to a sista!!
Steven Evangelista
posted 2/03/08 @ 8:04 AM EST
As an educator, I read your opinion piece with pride. You have exactly the attitude towards learning that great leaders of this country have upheld for generations. (Continued…)
Sue-April Akinyi O
posted 7/22/08 @ 11:48 PM EST
Neema your article is awesome! I was filled with so much excitement just reading it.Especially the whole culture shock experinece you went through. Alot of exchange students from other countries can relate to the situation because in Kenya if you disrespected a teacher you would be punished for it. (Continued…)
Omosh
posted 7/23/08 @ 12:46 AM EST
Great article, Is NOT only African Americans but most definetly almost 1 in 20 of any college Campus in America would not Know where coutries and continents are located. (Continued…)
Neema Lidya Okal
posted 4/01/09 @ 10:22 AM EST
Thanks everyone for the comments. It is nice to get feedbacks on what i have written.
russian personals
posted 3/24/10 @ 8:59 AM EST
I like articles like this. Great Article! Thanks!
seifai
posted 4/07/10 @ 6:03 AM EST
With that said, I do not comment very often. I try to leave a comment only when I feel I am adding something meaningful and I get apprehensive about how I am viewed. (Continued…)
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