Camo Top, Wide Leg Jeans, Beyoncé Inspired Power Pose
The gif of New York going ‘ Beyoncé ?!’ has to be my favorite thing on the internet, but that is entirely besides the point of this blog post.
This camo top and wide leg jeans outfit is very typical for me. My outfit formula is usually crop + high waisted loose fitting bottoms, so this is definitely peak comfort zone. I loved this picture the most out of the 32xh78 my mom and I took because I realized I unintentionally did something of a power pose here.
I often describe myself as uncomfortable and awkward, but this outfit and thinking about this post took me back to the most awkward and uncomfortable adjustment I’ve had to make so far- going to uni abroad and being an international African student. In this post, I’m going to touch on three things I think will make the adjustment a little less awkward going in as an international African student.
1. Most people won’t understand where you’re from, but anger isn’t always productive.
This was the one thing that took me the longest to learn, and I think was the most useful once I did. It’s so frustrating, especially when you go a school that claims to have the smartest of smart people, to realize that responding ‘Ghana’ to the question of where you’re from will bring back a range of responses from blank stares to ‘do they speak French down there.’ And I completely understand if after having that encounter over and over again you want to just give up or stew in your annoyance. That is a valid response, 100%. I’ve just learned that giving up right from there often takes away the opportunity for you to figure out if the person you’re speaking to is willing to know better. Most non-Africans are never taught about Africa, and are never in situations where they can learn. While some people are just ignorant and want to stay that way, others will put in the effort once they have you as a catalyst, and will be super respectful and curious. Essentially, I’m saying sometimes going beyond the first encounter can open up a great conversation so don’t always close yourself to it.
2. Talk to your professors and administrators; the ones you connect with will have your back forever.
I kind of stumbled into this, because I love to talk and if I’m interested in what you teach will want to talk to you and so will set time up to talk to you. Through this, I made connections with some of my teachers who to this day have been some of my strongest support systems while abroad. A lot of African students that I’ve spoken to don’t know that their teachers are actually interested in talking to them, and so never reach out. This is one thing that I think is so important, especially as recommendation season comes around. So, reach out to your teachers where you genuinely enjoy their material or like their personalities and feel comfortable around them. It can lead to really amazing relationships.
3. You are allowed to be multiple things; it doesn’t mean you’re confused and it doesn’t mean you’ve sold your soul.
This was also really difficult because the code switching that you do on a daily basis? Sis. But you know what, you are a real human person and real human people are multi -faceted. You shouldn’t have guilt about having different sides to you- if you go camping for four days with one group of friends, and then get glammed up to go a gala with another group of people; or you have a classical music date every week. It’s also perfectly fine to be an engineering student and a Soundcloud rapper. All of those parts of you are valid so feed them all, and embrace them all. I think it’s really easy to feel apologetic for certain parts of your personality but, life is too short fam. It’s so important to learn to be comfortable in your skin and enjoy being the person you are. And I think letting yourself be multiple things is a great step in that direction.
I hope this is useful for those of you receiving school decisions during this time, or if you’re already at a PWI or just uni in general.
As always, sending you love and light,
Amoafoa
