2 Weeks of Training and 10 Bottles of Moet later...

Actor Jensen Ackles (of Days of our Lives, one of the greatest Soaps of all time) once said:

I used to be scared of uncertainty; now I get a high out of it.

I have yet to fully adopt this mantra; however, the past two weeks have been very unique, quashing my fears of meeting 70 new people and exciting me about the road ahead! Three suitcases,130 lbs (yes, that's slightly over the limit), and several hours after my last post, I arrived in New York City, eager and nervous to meet the first set of African fellows who would be riding in the same vehicle with me. What should have been a 20 minute pick-up became a 3.5 hour endeavor, but with that uncertainty brought a great opportunity to bond with some of the other fellows. 

Among the pack was Juliet, a Ugandan Rwandan who I quickly bonded with on the subjects of jewelry and life in general. From Uganda, there was the stylish Evelyn in a crisp white shirt and matching red belt and shoes. From Burundi, there were Desire (Dedo), Alexis and Arnaud (who were very sleepy due to an extra day spent at the airport), and Gerard, whom I spent most of the two hour bus ride conversing with. This was just the beginning of what became a unique 2 weeks.

The lovely Juliet and me (from left to right)!

Upon arrival, we arrived at the tall iron gates of Yale's Silliman College, and I was - I admit - a bit awestruck...Yale is beautiful! I’ll spare you the nitty-gritty details (maybe you can read it in a “tell all” book one of these days J ) but our evening of socializing was just the beginning of an eventful 2 weeks.

The incredible program staff.

Several buildings, including this library, resembled grand churches. Yale is beautiful!

Me, taking in the scenery

Inside the library (notice the church theme despite Yale's non-religious affiliation)

Said to be the largest secular stain-glass collection in the world

A typical day consisted of activities from 8 am – 6 pm or 10 pm, depending on if evening activities were optional. In addition to our yummy cafeteria meals, these would include:

• 2-4 lectures delivered by field experts on topics ranging from leadership to activism to health in criminal justice to social entrepreneurship,

Lateefa Simons, Executive Director of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, gave one of the best lectures of the entire training, discussing her experience in the fight for social justice in health and empowerment

Professor Rob Kaplan of the Harvard Business School talked about leadership and shared the "meat" of his latest book!

• 1 small group and/or process group session, where we delved into our feelings and experiences alongside 5 other fellows (may sound like “fru fru” but I believe that it will be instrumental to our personal growth over the next year),

My small group consisting of myself, Morris (from Rwanda), Lena, Faith, JJ, Gerard, and Edison (from Uganda) (clockwise).

The fruits of our last small group activity, where we created a visual depiction of our personal mission statements for the year

Lovey ladies of pink! Barbara B. and I next to our beautiful drawings (ya, we're like "this" now).

• 1 social activity including cocktail receptions, karaoke, bowling, a talent show, and dance parties (generally involving a delicious beverage).

Gotta love a good ice breaker.

Myself and Emma, who will also be in Malawi during our tour of Yale

Bowling night! Temie, Hez, Barbara B., Claire P., and me (reppin' the Spartans)

Myself, my fellowship partner Arthur (from Malawi), and Derrik (from Uganda)

Hannah T., Dedo (oh Dedo...), and Isaac (from Uganda) dancing it up at Happy Hour #1

Some of my fav fellows causing a ruckus at the Harry Potter showing! (Cori, Abby, Mansi, Jenn, and me)

We also had some special activities in NYC including a 6-hour scavenger hunt (about that...) and a visit to financial giants Goldman Sachs, where we learned about a new non-profit initiative for women.

Hezekiah (from Nigeria) and me on the bus to the scavenger hunt in NYC

Agnes (from Malawi), Arnaud (from Burundi), myself, and Aaron creating our own Empire State Building

The scavenger hunt team in Bryant Park

Arnaud, Agnes, Melyn, Aaron, Hez, and I in the financial district 

Me and Mansi (who will also be in Malawi) inside Goldman Sachs

Agnes (from Uganda), Maimunat (from Nigeria), and me on the balcony of Goldman Sachs

What a view!!

Me and my new big sis, Temie on the balcony of the venue for our afternoon sessions

The two weeks may have formally ended but knowing that I'm part of a community, a family, of passionate and fun individuals who want to improve the world is exciting! Although I haven't made it out of the country quite yet (that's a story for another post), watch out Malawi...Here I come! 

A special dinner for the last night!

"The last supper" (me, Caitlyn, Hannah, Edison, JJ, Arnaud, and Emma)

Some of my girls (Mansi, me, Evelyn, Temie, and Emma) at the final candle ceremony