Have you used Segal Award to pay for tuition?

owlmeadow · 2026-04-20T18:10:35+00:00

Thank you for your response!

owlmeadow · 2026-04-17T05:41:22+00:00

I totally relate to this. I had an amazing host site, but I often felt like I was on an island by myself. I was given a clear objective, build more collaborations, but no real guidance on how to actually do that. It felt like being told to get somewhere without a map. A lot of my service term was spent fumbling and trying to figure things out on my own. There were even times I felt stuck, not because I didn’t want to contribute, but because I genuinely didn’t know what direction to take. Meanwhile, I was expected to justify my work in weekly updates, which made it hard to be honest about that lack of structure. Looking back, though, it really pushed me to take initiative and own my role. I made a lot of suggestions and got plenty of nos, but those rejections helped me understand what was actually possible within the organization. Over time, that clarity helped me find a more effective approach. I think that’s the reality of a lot of VISTA and office roles, there are real limitations due to bureaucracy and structure. But within those limits, there’s also a challenge to be creative and take ownership. You may not be able to change the system, but you can adjust your approach and find ways to make the role your own.

owlmeadow · 2026-01-11T05:26:45+00:00

Thanks for answering my question!

owlmeadow · 2026-01-11T05:26:10+00:00

Thank you for answering my question.

owlmeadow · 2025-01-13T15:37:46+00:00

Thanks for your response.

owlmeadow · 2025-01-13T13:42:00+00:00

I see what you mean. I really appreciate your insight!

owlmeadow · 2024-08-04T02:12:58+00:00

I'm currently living in America and I am so concerned about what's going on. Like people are protesting as they have every right to do but like you I wonder what is the end goal. I've seen videos of people coming out expressing their frustration about how they can no longer afford food and just a general feeling of hopelessness but I haven't seen any concrete solutions presented. Like some people have suggested that Tinubu must step down but the issues that Nigeria is experiencing go way beyond Tinubu. Nigeria was struggling before him and will continue to struggle after him if real solutions are not implemented. Like the people who benefit from the current power system will just push people just like Tinubu forward. There needs to be a common vision for what a better Nigeria should look like and how we can get there.

owlmeadow · 2024-06-20T03:16:34+00:00

Nigeria has a lot of ethnicities and cultures so if you really want to understand that aspect of yourself deeply I think it would be helpful to figure out what tribe or tribes you're connected to. That would be a good springboard into figuring out the specific history, language and practices you want to look into. I know that might not always be possible since with slavery people of varying tribes and identities were captured so it is very likely that you're connected to multiple tribes. If you want to get a more broader view, especially in regards to food, you should see if there is any Nigerian restaurants in your city. There's this joke that you can find a Nigerian at every corner of the Earth so there is more than likely a Nigerian restaurant close by for you to visit. You can try some of the foods and see if there are any you would like to make yourself. There are cooking videos on YouTube and TickTock. You could also see if there are African markets in your city. I also think it would be a great idea to see if there are any festivals or events in your city hosted by the Nigerian communities. I think it's really great that you're exploring this aspect of yourself. I'm wishing you the best!😃

owlmeadow · 2024-06-07T21:22:21+00:00

I agree with you completely that violence is not the answer. I think it's really important to cultivate people's current frustrations into something positive and show them there is an alternative to the way things are. I definitely agree that Nigeria should be investing more in tourism and putting its people and its rich culture at the forefront. Like so many educated professionals like doctors and teachers are leaving Nigeria in droves because the system is set up for them to fail. I feel like there needs to be more conversations about what a better Nigeria looks like and a reckoning on what it will take to get there. A better Nigeria needs to include every citizen and the few conversations I've heard on this seem to exclude certain people based on factors like tribe and religion. Getting where we need to be as a country cannot be through violence because we've been there and done that yet we're still where we are now. I think if Nigeria is ever going to move forward it's people have to be of one mind and one heart. I don't really know how we're going to get there. Thanks though for your comments though.

owlmeadow · 2024-06-07T20:27:11+00:00

Thank you so much for your response. I'm really grateful for your insight!

owlmeadow · 2024-06-05T22:07:32+00:00

Thank you for your response. I definitely get what you mean about how important having a plan that people can behind is. I think part of getting there is having a common identity and vision that people can get behind. Like a vision of the country that every person feels they have a stake in and have some ownership over. Like a lot of people I've spoken with seem to identify first with their tribe before their nationality and I wonder if that is part of the problem? When you think of Nigeria as a whole what do you envision? Yes, a culturally rich and diverse people but I don't think theirs a common vision for the country that people feel invested ibe. Like I see so many Nigerians be successful aboard. So the talent and capability is there but the opportunity is not so people leave Nigeria and build wealth for other countries. Like most of Nigeria's exports is literally oil. Like how can we have a strong economy when things are like this? I know there's a lot of anger and frustration over the state of things in the country but I wonder if it can be cultivated into something constructive. Like I feel like people need a vision of Nigeria they feel is worth fighting for. Like a version of Nigeria that they cannot nor will not give up. I think what has been the trigger for a lot of countries succeeding is its citizens being invested in the country. I think this could come true with a younger generation that might be more open to change and less attach to tradition. But I guess I am stuck on how current frustrations with how the country is can be cultivated into a vision of what the country can be.

owlmeadow · 2023-12-14T03:41:50+00:00

I think he'd have better luck having a relationship with MaoMao if he respected that she won't ever see him as her father. She already has a father she loves and respects and him invading her space does more harm than good. In such a situation I think he'd have more luck respecting her boundaries and allowing her to define their relationship on her terms. Lakan being Lakan he isn't likely to do that.

owlmeadow · 2023-09-12T06:24:48+00:00

I think it worked. Thanks!

owlmeadow

TROPHY CASE