[Written by Yau Sze Ern]
Sabrina Lim, an AIESEC member from Malaysia, went to Cameroon, Africa for exchange. Why Africa? Let's find out. :D
The main reason for Sabrina to choose Africa is due to her wish to experience the feeling of cultural shock! For her, Africa is a country which is totally different from her home country - Malaysia, in many aspects. Moreover, Cameroon is also called the miniature of Africa. Hence, she can experience most of the African stuff there.
Before leaving Malaysia, she was very excited and nervous like other exchange participants. Lots of worries harbored deep inside her heart, at the same time wondering how she can cope with the new environment, She felt much anticipated towards her exchange in Cameroon and wished that she could be there as soon as possible. She wanted to proof that she can survive and blend well in their society. Not forget to mention that she wants to proof to the world that she is making the right decision of going exchange alone. According to Sabrina, she thought it is normal to worry about this and that before going for exchange, especially when she heard some not-so-positive rumors of that country and when she is going to leave her dearest family and friends. All these are the steps for Sabrina on stepping way out of her own comfort zone.
She was very shock when she stepped out of Yaounde airport. That was because she expects the weather in Africa will be freaking hot and dry, but out of her expectation, the weather was cold, with fog surrounding her. She really appreciates the local committee of AIESEC in Africa, who were there waiting for her at the airport. She also told us that the people there were very nice and extrovert, making her felt like as if she was at her home country. All her worries went off and started to enjoy her exchange journey.
Sabrina involved in a summer project, called SUMMER 11 in Cameroon. In this project, there were 7 divisions based on social issues, namely health issues, IT, English, entrepreneur, environmental, global village and community work. Being the leader of environmental issue, Sabrina worked with six other international interns in order to create the syllabus of education material, for adults, teenagers and kids. They taught them in very interactive way about green entrepreneur, cleaning, sanitation and water point rehabilitation. It was indeed a very meaningful project.
Language barrier is the most difficult challenge for Sabrina. In Cameroon, mother tongue of the local is French. Only few of them speak English. Most of the local people do not have the privilege to study at school since they were young, thus they were lack of exposure to English language. Moreover, people there usually communicate in their local dialect. Sometimes, even the European interns find it hard to understand their language.
"I have learnt to be flexible and spontaneous. As a foreigner, you have to change your preference,
because things do not always work the way you might do in your own country.
Be open-minded and embraced the differences of others."
The funniest thing that Sabrina experienced during her exchange there was 11 people squeezed inside an economy car. Impossible? Impossible NOT! Two at the driver seat, three at the passenger seat, 5 at the back and one at the boot of the car. Can you imagine Sabrina is one of them? I bet you will never get to experience that in Malaysia! XD
"I always dream to go oversea for vacation or exchange. Africa never came across my mind.
My exchange in Africa is amazing!
Each and every moment I spent in Africa were the few most treasured moment I had ever have in my life!"
Sabrina was very excited when she was waiting for her luggage at the airport back in Malaysia. She felt dense and empty, because for the past two months, everyday was a brand new day for her by doing things that she never done before. Besides, she experienced the bitter and sweet moments with all of her friends from other countries, they endured the sad moments together, cried and shared lots of happy memories together. Coming back to Malaysia, she still holds the responsibility of helping others. Sabrina told us that we should not help others for the sake of helping or completing projects, but instead, for the sake of caring.
"My exchange is more like a summer vacation. Every day is a new experience for me.
It is the best way to spent my summer holiday by going on a meaningful exchange,
helping the local people, working with people with diverse background and so on.
I love my exchange. It was the best decision that I have ever made!!"
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