My passion for international travel and cultural exchange experiences has led me to participate in many different types of exchanges, ranging from study abroad to English teaching abroad. My first experience abroad was at the young age of 16. I had just finished a tumultuous year in high school since my father suddenly passed away from pancreatic cancer. Before his passing, we discussed my desire to study Spanish abroad. After he died I knew I had to keep pursuing my dream. I attempted to spend a summer in Spain with a Spanish class from my local community college in Pasadena, California. The professor was happy to have me except for one thing; insurance would not cover me unless I was 18. I thought my dreams were crushed. There was no way I was waiting 2 years to go to Spain. I did some online searching of language programs, and a month later I was on a plane to Barcelona. Looking back now, I realize that my peers who thought my mother was crazy for allowing me to go to Europe alone had every right to be shocked. I did not think it was a big deal at all. I wanted something, so I made it happen. This type of attitude is what has helped me continue to travel to 5 continents, and counting.
With friends on the beach in Ghana
After my first experience abroad I continued to seek other opportunities to travel. I spent my next summer in high school representing my local Sister Cities chapter in Finland. I spent 3 semesters away from my home institution, Mills College, to study abroad. First on domestic exchange in Washington, D.C. with a field study trip to Ghana, then on summer exchange in Hong Kong. I also spent a full semester in Ecuador, and another when I returned to Ghana in 2014. Fast forward to today. I recently returned from a summer teaching English with a fellowship program in Brazil. I plan to return in February to start a 10-month Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship. I realize that my academic path and travel experience is not typical of any American person my age, especially as an African-American woman. I have truly been blessed with opportunities that have been the result of hard work, perseverance, and exposure.
At Mitad del Mundo in Ecuador
While study abroad and international travel is very glamorized, it isn’t always easy adjusting to new cultures and living halfway around the globe. The great travel stories I often share with my friends and family have anther side to them. As an African-American female traveler I have had to confront my identity and all of the intersections of it as I travel. This means that I am often reminded of my race, sex, gender, class, and nationality. I have learned that no matter where I go I cannot escape it. I have enjoyed feeling “closer to my roots” as a person of African descent in Ghana as much as I resented tirelessly explaining my dual identity of being Black and American while in Ecuador. While I try to look at all of my experiences as learning ones, I will not say they have been easy. Each place I go to brings a new wave of emotions and a new way of thinking. I think about my privilege as an American citizen, the primary reason I have access to travel to so many countries; but I also reflect on the privileges I do not have, as both a woman and an African-American. Though working through these thoughts can be challenging, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am proud of my identity. I will continue to travel to learn from other cultures. I will also continue to teach others abroad that people like me exist; and yes, we do travel. During my time in Ghana I learned an Adinkra symbol called “Boa me na me mmoa wo,” meaning, "Help me and let me help you." This is a tenet I plan to keep in mind as I continue to pursue my passion of traveling around the world. While I explore my own travel experiences I must lift up others who desire to do the same.