Bittersweet Goodbyes

Friday was both my last work day and day in Cote d’Ivoire. And although I was ready to leave, the good byes were still bittersweet. As I reflect on my experience over the past 2 years, I have learned a lot personally and professionally about boundaries, expectations and the need for rest. Living here has…

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Mini vacation in San Pedro

For the Eid break I decided to go on a trip to another part of Cote d’Ivoire. As I get ready to leave this country on June 11th, I really wanted to have a positive perspective. You see, living here has not been easy. This year especially the electricity outtages and sometimes water outtages has…

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My horrible experience at the Ghanaian Embassy 🤬🤬🤬

From last post you know that I went to Ghana last week for Spring break. While the trip was not planned initially it turned out well. However the journey to getting there was filled with disappointment, frustration and tomfoolery at the Embassy. In order to get a visa to Ghana you have to drop your…

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Traveling to Ghana during covid

I was so excited about my Spring break plans. I had planned a trip to Sao Tome, an island of the coast of Ghana. Two weeks before my trip the flights to Sao Tome by TAP Portugal was canceled. I was disappointed because I was still left with the tickets to Ghana. because these were…

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Covid spikes and in person school

Most people are surprised to hear that my school in West Africa has been in person since the beginning of the school year last August. This meant temperature checks, wearing masks all day, social distancing, limiting the number of students allowed in my office, hand washing stations, hand sanitizer at the door of every classroom…

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The importance of consent conversations

When I think back I’ve been talking to students about consent for most of my career. However these conversations were informal and often with small groups of students who hung out in my office. In 2014 I started having these lessons with grades 11 and 12 during Advisory. This year I tailored the lessons for…

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Choosing international educator life

When I moved to the DR in August 2010, I didn’t plan to stay abroad for more than a year. However, I saw that working as an international educator gave me certain perks I didn’t experience in the U.S. Even though I was making less money I brought home more of it because I didn’t…

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The housing issue at my current school🤯🤬

One of the things that I have struggled with since I moved to Cote d’Ivoire is the housing issue at my school. Or to be more specific the lack of urgency in addressing housing issues. I really try not to complain because it’s exhausting but also because the custodial staff are kind and helpful and…

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Resilience, Faith 🙏🏾and Gratitude

A lot of my friends tell me that I am courageous because I chose to live abroad alone for the past 9 years. However the word I would use to describe myself is resilient. Despite the challenges I learned to lean on my faith, and I always figure out a way to focus on the…

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The end of my love affair with living in Africa🤷🏾‍♀️🤨

My love affair with Africa and its countries and history began in high school. Then in 2014 I got an opportunity to move to Ethiopia and work at ICSA. Although it wasn’t AISJ where I secretly dreamed of working, it was still a dream come true….moving to the Motherland💃🏾. I am now living in my…

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