My Study Abroad Program Experience - a letter of gratitude from SEGA Graduate Elina

Khadija (left) and Elina (right) in the UN General Assembly Hall

Recently, Nurturing Minds received the letter below from SEGA graduate Elina. In her letter, she expressed her thanks for being able to visit the U.S., along with fellow SEGA graduate Khadija, as part of this year’s Study Abroad Program. With Elina’s permission, we are excited to share her experience - in her own words - with the broader NM and SEGA community.

Dear Nurturing Minds,

First and foremost I would like to take this opportunity to thank Madam Polly and Madam Laura, Nurturing Minds board members and the team and the SEGA community at large for giving Khadija and I an opportunity to visit the United States in October and I would like to share with you some of the major highlights about my trip in the United States.

Preparing to Travel

  • The visa process was challenging at first but I give my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Madam Laina and Madam Rhona for being with us hand in hand and for giving us all types of support including emotional support and always encouraging us throughout the process. 

Fundraising Events for Nurturing Minds

  • I was honored to be one of the speakers and a SEGA Girls’ School ambassador in the fundraising events that were done in several places in the U.S. and I couldn't stop talking about how big an impact SEGA has made on me in how I view education, leadership and all aspects of life. I was so inspired to see how hard the Nurturing Minds team works for the girls in Tanzania. 

Get Her There Luncheon hosted by the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance

  • While in Manhattan, New York, Khadija and I had an incredible opportunity to represent Nurturing Minds and SEGA at the Get Her There Luncheon hosted by the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance. I was happy to see some of the most influential women in the world including Michelle Obama, Amal Clooney and Melinda French Gates. To note Michelle Obama in her speech, "If we want to end poverty, educating girls is key to all of that. You were able to leave and shine and to learn and to teach.” I'm glad that SEGA is part of this movement of educating girls. We also met Flaviana Matata, a Tanzanian Model and I hope she'll be able to work with SEGA someday. 

Tour of the United Nations

  • While in Manhattan we also got an opportunity to pay a visit at the United Nations Headquarters where we met with a Tanzanian ambassador to the UN, the Hon. Mr. Gastorn. 

  • I was happy to share with him about my story and how SEGA has made it better and how the school impacts girls’ lives in Tanzania. It had been my dream place and I am so glad that we had an incredible time at the United Nations Headquarters where I learned a lot of things about the place.

Yale University Campus Tour

  • Yale has always been my dream school and I am so glad that Madam Laura made it possible for us to pay a visit to the Yale Campus.  It was such an amazing surprise to me. I am glad that through the skills and knowledge that I got from the Education For Life department under Madam Pauline, I was qualified for the two Yale Young Scholars Program and good news is I am looking forward to be one of the instructors in next year's Yale Young African Scholars Program. How exciting!

From left, NM board member Angela McManus, Khadija, Permanent Representative of United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations Kennedy G. Gastorn, Elina, and NM Executive Director Laura DeDominicis.

From left, Elina, Flaviana Matata, and Khadija

Khadija (left) and Elina (right) tour the Yale campus.

I know thank you is such a small word but I extend my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Nurturing Minds and the SEGA community at large for believing in us and giving us the opportunity. I believe we did our best. 

As a way of giving back to SEGA, I would like to volunteer working along with the EFL department connecting SEGA with some of the organizations and opportunities that I encountered in life that I believe SEGA students will benefit a lot including the UWC, Apps and Girls, Study Beyond Borders, Projekt Inspire among so many others. 

Thank you for supporting me and the rest of the girls too throughout the journey from secondary school up to University where we are now. Thank you for showing us that women can, and for making it possible for us to dream bigger and seeing our dreams coming true. We love you. 

Big hugs,

Elina G.
SEGA Graduate 2019

Matthew PlourdeComment