Berfin

My Experience

Before we left the Netherlands, I was a girl who had only heard heartbreaking stories on the news about Africa and some about the amazing safari trips of my friends who had been there on a trip. I was uneducated and had no idea of how my view of this amazing place could change in only two weeks. When we arrived at the first school, we were immediately welcomed by all the teachers and students who were more than excited to have us there. My expectation of just giving lessons to a bunch of students quickly turned into a newly found warm feeling of home. I was made to feel comfortable, and I got to experience Togo in the best way possible: with the kind locals who later turned into some of my best friends. It was a cultural exchange, so it wasn’t only us teaching them. Honestly, after a few days there wasn’t an ‘us’ or ‘them’, but a big ‘US’. I learned how to cook, endure spice, I got to dance like I’ve never danced before, but most importantly, I got to dig deeper into the values and beliefs of a completely new place. I loved the simplicity, and the fact that you could just ask someone to be your friend and get a positive response. I realized that we had our differences, but in the end of the day all of us had one thing in common: We were all good people who are excited to learn from each other. I learned a lot about myself those two weeks. In this short time, the tensed, stressed and constantly overthinking girl was gone, and a new, better version took her place. All my worries disappeared, and I learned that living a balanced life, connecting with nature and people are essential if I wanted to reach happiness in life. I think our team brought some help and brightness to Togo, but I am certain that Togo helped us much more with discovering who we really are. I loved giving lessons there, and if I were given to chance to do it again, I wouldn’t think twice before saying yes.  Every school, together with every student were unique. After I left, I kept contact with some, and I witnessed how their language skills and maturity developed over time. I can now say that I’m a proud friend of many guys and girls who reached their dreams to go to university for example. I can with certainty say that this trip has changed the course of my life and how I view the world in a very positive way. I am currently a medicine student in the Netherlands, but since Togo, I dream of specializing in Tropical diseases and hopefully spending some time in Africa to learn and improve my skillset. Until then, I’ll keep wearing the jewelry that I was gifted from all my Togo friends and try to learn a few words in French until I go on that journey.