Purple Post-It
When I first started at the School Of Social Work, we went to many,
many, many informational seminars. Things like “Get involved in your student
government…. Join this, join that”, students eagerly stated. The opportunities
seemed endless. Someone then mentioned, “we have a travel abroad program.” My
interest was piqued. The student rattled off a few places that previous
students had gone, Germany, Puerto Rico, and South Africa. There was a
physiological reaction. My pupils expanded and my heart palpitations picked up,
someone had said South Africa. Being that first year students could not apply,
I would have to wait until the second year of the program to apply for an
abroad program. In the second semester, someone put a sign up about an
informational session about traveling abroad. I went to the session and was
fascinated by the pictures and her tales of travel. Her name was Erin, and she
was a RA. From that moment on, I inquired to my field advisor, and a teacher,
while expressing interest in the potential opportunity.
I had always been into
positive affirmations, and speaking things you want into existence. The whole
“put it out in the universe” was a practice I was trying to incorporate into my
life. So, I got out some post-it’s, and wrote some things I wanted to come into
fruition. On a purple post-it on the upper right corner of my full length
mirror, laid the phrase “I’M GOING TO SOUTH AFRICA” in bold letters. It became
a morning mantra. That then turned into a reality. While I’m very excited about the opportunity,
I don’t think the reality has hit me yet.
Probably while boarding the plane from Detroit, the gravity of the
situation and opportunity will come full circle. I’m excited to share this journey with 17
other people who have not been there as well. I’m excited to see a part of the
globe I’ve only seen on tv and read about in magazines. This is the motherland.
It’s the apex of humanity and civilization. There is so much to learn, share and
experience. Let the journey begin!!
