“#America” is a slogan in our classroom, on the road, wherever we find ourselves. I know many people will ask me why “#America,” so I will try to explain. “#America” designates the uniqueness of American things, cultures, practices, etc. that we encounter here and our responses to them. Daily and continuously, the Washington Fellowship program at the University of Delaware continues to empower the young people participating as YALI fellows. For these young African leaders, “#America” means many things. Sometimes, it means a peculiarly American rhythm or mindset, the American way of life, the strengths and even the weakness of the American people in the United States. This slogan is used to talk about America, to refer to some things particular about America that we can’t find in Africa. It expresses the uniqueness of our experience here as Africans working and learning in the US.
Days pass quickly, and we are getting ready to enter into the last weeks of this program, an intense and profitable experience beneficial for our daily work. Every day spent at the University of Delaware is a new day and new opportunity, and we are learning new things, meeting new people, and acquiring new experiences. This time together demonstrates the spirit of creativity, understanding, and collaboration between young African leaders. “We are very happy to be together, to learn from each other, and to share experiences,” Drogba, one of the young leaders at the University of Delaware, told me. “This is really important work we are doing here,” he continued, “and our relationships with each other are essential for success once we are back home. We have connections now around Africa and between Africa and America.”
Our third week at the University of Delaware offered a plethora of opportunities for us to learn and grow. Through the presentations and experiences exchanged between young leaders, we continue to expand our capabilities and change the way we see things. Many of our colleagues back home wonder if we will copy the entire American culture or part of this culture that can actually bring about change in our own communities. I liked a statement of one of our professors, who encouraged us to learn many things from the American people that can help bring about change in our countries. According to this speaker, Americans believe in constant experimentation. Constantly, they’re looking for new things. Americans are pragmatic, work hard, and don’t sleep a lot. Although we should refrain from adopting American practices en masse, there is a lot to be learned here. For me, this program is really an opportunity, not only for us as young African leaders, but also for thousands of young people in our countries and all over Africa who will benefit from what we learn. We have new ideas for projects and activities to be realized when we return home, and I am sure that the WFYAL experience will really contribute to changes in our respective communities.