Seven Months on the Road

Seven months ago, I stood at a crossroads, packed my bags, and made the life-altering decision to leave Cameroon, explore the world, and find a new place to call home. Today, after seven countries and thirteen cities, I feel the outline of that new home beginning to take shape.

The last seven months have been a whirlwind of personal and professional growth, with each border crossing and every new connection helping me to understand the world and my place in it. My pen can only capture a fraction of what my heart has experienced, but I hope this offers a glimpse of the journey.

Ghana: A Joyful, Bittersweet Reunion

My adventure began with a two-month immersion in Accra, Ghana—a city that already held pieces of my heart. I used my time here for deliberate reconnection. I spent sun-drenched afternoons catching up with friends I hadn't seen in years, our conversations easily picking up right where we left off.

A visit to my alma mater, Ashesi University, was a powerful pilgrimage. Walking the familiar campus, I was flooded with memories and a profound sense of gratitude for the foundation it gave me.

Of course, no return to Ghana would be complete without indulging in the food I had so deeply missed. The Jollof rice Mathias and I ate on Day 1, the fufu date with Nabeela, and every other meal with friends was a celebration. Accra felt warm and welcoming, and for a moment, I let myself believe this could be it. However, as I began to explore a long-term stay, I was met with the sobering reality of a legal and bureaucratic path that was more complicated and costly than I could manage. It was a difficult lesson in pragmatism, and with a heavy heart, I knew I had to move on.

Liberia: A Mirror to My Past

From Ghana, I flew to Monrovia, Liberia, to collaborate with my friend Reuben, a force for good whom I first met in 2022 during his African tour with Letters to Strangers, an award-winning non-profit dedicated to mental wellbeing. Now, he had just launched a new venture, the Central Leadership Academy (CLA), with a bold vision to provide accessible, quality education to students in rural Liberia.

I spent a month understanding his work, the ecosystem, and leveraging my experience to help brainstorm and design new programs for the school. The work was fulfilling, and the city itself struck a deeply personal chord. The vibrant chaos of the markets, the resilience etched on people's faces, the rhythm of daily life all reminded me so much of Cameroon, that it instantly felt like home. But this familiarity was a double-edged sword. I soon recognized the same systemic challenges, the same frustrations that had pushed me to leave my home country in the first place. It became clear that while my heart felt at home, my future needed a different environment to thrive.

Ivory Coast: A Beacon of Hope

My next stop was a two-week stay in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and it was nothing short of restorative. The city pulsed with a forward-moving energy, and my time there was made amazing by the incredible hospitality of former colleagues and new friends. Joseph (from NiaDelta) and Jean (from the EU Advisory Board) welcomed me with open arms, making me feel less like a visitor and more like a returning friend. I also really enjoyed the moments I spent with Cedric (shout out to Luke for the introduction), and the debates I had with Tchouli (Thanks to Daniella for the recommendation).

Abidjan checked all my boxes in a way no other place had. The path to legal settlement was clear and accessible. The infrastructure was reliable, and the political climate felt stable and optimistic. It was a place where I could concretely envision myself building a future. While I had to leave for other pre-planned trips, I did so not with a sense of goodbye, but with a firm sense of optimism. Abidjan seems like the anchor I’ve been searching for.

The U.S. Tour: Community and Connection

From West Africa, my journey took me across the Atlantic for a whirlwind tour of the United States. First, New York City, where I attended the ECOSOC Youth Forum at the United Nations. Standing in those halls, surrounded by passionate young leaders from every corner of the globe, was a surreal and affirming experience. But the true highlight of my time in the city that never sleeps wasn't the towering skyscrapers or famous Time Square; it was the warmth of my community. A friend offered their bed and slept on a couch, others shared meals with me and took me on tours, making a vast city feel intimate and kind.

Next, a bus took me to Maryland for a reunion a decade in the making. Being surrounded by fellow Cameroonians, sharing stories in from home, and eating familiar food was like a balm for the soul. It was a powerful reminder that "home" can also be a feeling created by the people you share a history with.

These trips were a prelude to the main event in Chicago: the Global Engagement Summit at Northwestern University. The week was an inspiring convergence of minds, connecting with fellow changemakers who are tackling global issues with creativity and grit. A personal highlight was an hour-long consultation with Danielle Butin, the founder and ED of the AFYA Foundation. Her story and strategic insights were both humbling and motivating, reinforcing my own professional purpose.

Kenya: A Land of Firsts and New Perspectives

When my time in the US came to an end, I flew to Kenya for six weeks of exploration and new experiences. Kenya pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best ways. I found myself mountain biking on rugged trails, feeling the thrill of running my first 10K race, and walking barefoot on the pristine white-sand beaches of Diani. Beyond these personal firsts, the real treasure was connecting with the communities of Open Dream Scholars and Ashesi Alumni in Nairobi.

While Kenya ticked most of my boxes aesthetically and socially, the practicalities of a high cost of living and a complex process for legal residency were, once again, a barrier I couldn't overcome.

Onward to Asia: The Journey Continues

My journey then led me to a brief but wonderful stop in the UAE, where I had the priceless opportunity to meet my siblings and celebrate my 25th birthday with family. And now, I write this from Cebu City, Philippines, as I wrap up a vibrant three-week stay. The next chapter is already calling, and I'm finalizing my plans to explore more of Southeast Asia with Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia on the horizon.

Asia is completely new to me so I'm exploring the region with an open heart, ready for the cultural shifts, the new foods, the unexpected lessons, and wherever else new opportunities and my passport might take me. Although my search for a single place to call home continues, I’ve learned that pieces of home can be found everywhere—over a shared meal, in a challenging conversation, in a moments of solitary peace by scenic views.

I am incredibly grateful to the people who support me at every point as I continue this adventure.