First and foremost, I must thank the Africana Research Center, Schreyer Honors College, Multicultural Resource Center, and the College of Health and Human Development for their support in my research endeavors this summer. This invaluable 5 week experience has forced me to grow personally by pushing my limits of Western comfort passed my perceived limits. (See Rhoda’s first blog post)

There have been nights where I could not sleep because the buzz of mosquitoes jolted me from my sweaty slumber. There have been days where I have lost grasp of the last time I have showered. Amid trying to study for my GREs for graduate school and submit abstracts before conference deadlines with fickle Wi-Fi and prohibitive electrical access, I have fended off numerous anxiety attacks.

I have grown professionally by cultivating a critical research lens in the field. I am now able to effectively conduct interviews in another language, a skill which will be invaluable for my future career aspirations. Through the people I have come across, albeit research participants, my colleagues, taxi drivers, hospital security, etc., humanity has reintroduced itself as an endearingly selfless entity. Life has reminded me of its definition and purpose: to experience. There’s absolutely nothing like bringing your dreams to fruition. Traveling. Transforming. Transcending.

Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean from Goree Island, located off the shores of Dakar.. through The Door of no Returns into the Atlantic Slave Trade