Nairobi is incredible. Kenya is incredible. For goodness sake, Africa is incredible. After having the opportunity to visit Senegal in 2018, I was determined to travel to as many African countries as possible. A year and a half later, I am back on the continent.
I chose to come to Kenya for many reasons. As someone who would like to work in the international development field in Sub-Saharan Africa, studying abroad in Nairobi made a lot of sense. I truly believe that development work is meaningless when done from an office cubicle in a Western city. The on the ground experience is the only way to truly grasp what working abroad entails. I mean, it’s no coincidence that all the jobs I have looked at within development emphasize overseas experience as a critical qualification. I’m in my final sixteen weeks of college (gotta keep the trend going), which means I’ve been thinking a lot about my future. As the planner I am, studying abroad in Africa was strategic. It is a way to set me apart from others in this competitive development job market.
Now I’d be lying to you if I only decided to study abroad for my professional career. I saw it as an escape. An escape from Tenleytown, an escape from my RA job, an escape from a rather mediocre college experience. These past three years have summed up to my increasing consciousness about socioeconomic status, navigating social relationships, and spending way too many hours in the library. Kenya was my redemption.
In my cultural immersion class, we were asked to reflect on our initial impressions about Kenya, and creating a new local narrative. As I didn’t have much to say about any changed impressions, I did have a lot to say about local narratives. Part of my excitement in coming to Nairobi was the idea of being able to create a new narrative for myself. I was truly excited to immerse myself into Nairobi, engaging in “Nairobian youth” activities and creating my Kenyan network.
This, however, has been very difficult to do.
Now although I appreciate the existence of the AU Nairobi program, I can’t help but find myself frustrated with it. The “AU Bubble” that I tried so hard to burst back home has followed me to Africa. I find myself spending a lot of time with AU students, in AU spaces, in rather wealthy parts of Nairobi. It’s as if I’m still at AU, except its warm, the Wonk bus has been replaced by matatus, and Tenleytown is now the affluent neighborhoods of Nairobi.
How have I been coping?
Not well, to be quite honest. I’ve put a lot of my frustration into writing, yoga, and ranting to friends over WhatsApp. I suppose, what keeps me sane is knowing that this isn’t forever. I recognize that it’s only been a few weeks, and this will take time. This is all a part of the settling and adjustment process, and it is going to require some patience.
The bubble will be popped soon. Stay strong, young grasshopper.
While I eagerly wait to live out my cosmopolitan Nairobian reality, enjoy a photo of me at Kiambethu Tea Farm in Limuru Kenya! Honorable mention to Julius, our amazing tour guide who exposed us to the wonders of medicinal plants.
the final sixteen 