Geraldine Ngouegni Ade - My experience in the United States
My name is Geraldine Ngouegni Ade and I am currently a student of Alverno College and an ex-student of SJCHS mambu-Bafut Bamenda Cameroon. I came to the United States on August 28, 2007 to study at Alverno College for four years as a nursing student. Right now I am a junior in College and looking forward to being a graduate of Alverno College. If I was to write about all my experiences in the US it would probably be a huge book. The following is a very brief summary of my experience in the United States so far and some of the things I valued the most in my stay at Alverno.
I was very honored to receive a scholarship to come to Alverno College after I had graduated from SJCHS in 2007. Even as I went through the admission process and travel preparations I still did not believe this was happening until I actually arrived the United States on August 28 2007.
When I came here I was shocked, surprised and scared of the geographic, topography and cultural differences. I did no know exactly where or how to start but some how by the grace of God I have gotten through all the adjustments and I have been doing great so far. I am very impressed with the educational system in the United States. The availability of all the learning resources around me, teachers, classmates, computers, books etc was shocking. I have no reason to be unsuccessful with these resources at my disposal. Unlike St. Joseph were I only had a pen and a note book.
It is always said that a solidness of a house depends on its foundation. For me my foundation started my first eight weeks with an English emersion course I took in Madison. This was a very important base for me as it made it easier for me to be able to write professional papers. During these weeks I learned how to read and write research paper, improve my English, learned notes taking strategies, American pronunciations as well as the English language itself.
I am very grateful for this lifetime opportunity which has instilled a lot of changes in me not just academically but also socially. I have grown in all aspects of life. I see and approach the world differently. I have greater plans for the future and for my community especially.
There is no greater reward than giving back to my community. Some of the outstanding lessons that I have learned include the following:
College life is not just a place for one to study and gain the knowledge and skills needed for his or her career but also offers the opportunity to decide that career. In other words it helps a student decide what he or she really wants to become in life and how to achieve this goal.
I am very impressed by the availability of what we call the academic and the faculty adviser. The guidance I have received from the staff at Alverno has been very helpful.
The class presentations and public speaking, the use of visuals in presentations all help in building the leadership skills needed in the working world. The clinical and internships also help reinforce what has been learned in class.
These are all very important tools that help us students become outstanding professional women in our field of studies. These are all very important tools and strategies that I wish the ministry of education will incorporate in the educational system in Cameroon. I would also like to see a focus on leadership skills in the young Cameroonians, especially the women.
My educational journey has been a life changing experience to me and I hope by the grace of God that when I return home I am able to make chances in my community, especially amongst Cameroonian women.
I will start with SJCHS with the hope that those I will teach will also have the same influence, the will, the desire to share this with other women for the growth and development of the Cameroonian community as a whole. For those who have given me this education you have not only educated an individual but, you have educated a whole nation. You may not see that now, but as the years go by I will join forces with other young Cameroonian women and we will change not just the country but the whole world. You educate a woman you educate the nation.
By Geraldine Ngouegni Ade Current student of Alverno College.
I was very honored to receive a scholarship to come to Alverno College after I had graduated from SJCHS in 2007. Even as I went through the admission process and travel preparations I still did not believe this was happening until I actually arrived the United States on August 28 2007.
When I came here I was shocked, surprised and scared of the geographic, topography and cultural differences. I did no know exactly where or how to start but some how by the grace of God I have gotten through all the adjustments and I have been doing great so far. I am very impressed with the educational system in the United States. The availability of all the learning resources around me, teachers, classmates, computers, books etc was shocking. I have no reason to be unsuccessful with these resources at my disposal. Unlike St. Joseph were I only had a pen and a note book.
It is always said that a solidness of a house depends on its foundation. For me my foundation started my first eight weeks with an English emersion course I took in Madison. This was a very important base for me as it made it easier for me to be able to write professional papers. During these weeks I learned how to read and write research paper, improve my English, learned notes taking strategies, American pronunciations as well as the English language itself.
I am very grateful for this lifetime opportunity which has instilled a lot of changes in me not just academically but also socially. I have grown in all aspects of life. I see and approach the world differently. I have greater plans for the future and for my community especially.
There is no greater reward than giving back to my community. Some of the outstanding lessons that I have learned include the following:
College life is not just a place for one to study and gain the knowledge and skills needed for his or her career but also offers the opportunity to decide that career. In other words it helps a student decide what he or she really wants to become in life and how to achieve this goal.
I am very impressed by the availability of what we call the academic and the faculty adviser. The guidance I have received from the staff at Alverno has been very helpful.
The class presentations and public speaking, the use of visuals in presentations all help in building the leadership skills needed in the working world. The clinical and internships also help reinforce what has been learned in class.
These are all very important tools that help us students become outstanding professional women in our field of studies. These are all very important tools and strategies that I wish the ministry of education will incorporate in the educational system in Cameroon. I would also like to see a focus on leadership skills in the young Cameroonians, especially the women.
My educational journey has been a life changing experience to me and I hope by the grace of God that when I return home I am able to make chances in my community, especially amongst Cameroonian women.
I will start with SJCHS with the hope that those I will teach will also have the same influence, the will, the desire to share this with other women for the growth and development of the Cameroonian community as a whole. For those who have given me this education you have not only educated an individual but, you have educated a whole nation. You may not see that now, but as the years go by I will join forces with other young Cameroonian women and we will change not just the country but the whole world. You educate a woman you educate the nation.
By Geraldine Ngouegni Ade Current student of Alverno College.
(Video-2010)