"I learned many things throughout my time in the program, but I would say the most impactful lesson that still resonates with me is that there are so many opportunities out there to take advantage of. Granted, it may be more challenging for LP members because they may have to navigate through processes (college applications, job searching, school-related aspects, etc.) independently because their parents may not be in a position to offer guidance, so LP can serve as a community where they can seek support. I still remember when an LP alum came to our meeting to share his experience as a freshman at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD). He offered advice, shared his experience, and offered to support anyone who needed more clarity on the college application process. This was such an amazing opportunity to connect with someone who came from a similar background as me. I reached out to him and he provided me with guidance during my college application process, and when I later joined him at the University of Maryland, he also served as an important source for information. So, the most important thing I learned from my time at LP would be to take advantage of the opportunities to connect with people and the importance of reaching out for support when you need it.
In 2018, I decided to move back to The Gambia to be closer to my family as well a to gain work experience. Though I grew up in the U.S and in Norway, I always wanted to move back to The Gambia at some point in my young adulthood. I currently work for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) of Gambia, as a Strategic Communications Officer. In this capacity, I work primarily with the Gambian government in enhancing their ability to communicate about migration-related issues. Migration is a cross-cutting issue with rapidly evolving trends and dynamics, as such it is important for governments to be able to communicate about these issues accordingly. Working at IOM has given me the opportunity to utilize the knowledge I learned throughout my studies as well as the interest I have gained in international development. It is also incredibly rewarding to contribute to the implementation of programs that have meaningful impacts on the lives of many Gambians. I feel like this has been the perfect way for me to achieve my desired goal of moving back to The Gambia to contribute to the development of the country, even if it is in a small role in my current capacity.
My advice to younger alumni is that you do not have to have it all figured out just yet. Regarding your future plans and goals, school (especially college) can be the perfect place to learn more about yourself and what you want to do. Building networks and reaching out for support to people who can help you is so important. Use the networks you build in and outside of LP to gain more information on specific concerns you may have. These networks can be useful in sharing various forms of opportunities ranging from academic ones to others. Take advantage of opportunities that interest you that you can learn about. Also, connect with people who you meet who may be in the field you are interested in studying, or go to the college you are thinking about applying to, or perhaps share a similar background to you."
