Scholar Ship

In my family, whilst growing up, thanksgiving wasn't relegated simply to one day on the calendar. Oftentimes, the act of giving thanks proceeded any major occassion that warranted such. Today with my pen, I etch the gratitude to God on paper for having granted me the realization of this teenage goal of winning a scholarship.

You may or may not know that this experience in Deutschland was made possible by the benevolence of the Baden Wurttemburg Stipendum. Baden Wurttemburg (BW) is a southern bundersland (or state) in the German Federal Republic.

This week, I and a host of some hundred other scholarship holders were hosted aboard the Zepplin ship to fete our induction into the foundation of BW scholars. Accompanied by my less-than-a-day-old-new-pal, Thomas, I felt really honoured to be present at the evening's proceedings. Several things I found rather interesting; firstly the entire guest list having been brought together by a single commonality despite being from various countries dotted across the globe, secondly sailing on the Bondansee or Lake Konstanz whose shores straddle the borders of three countries, Germany, Switzerland and Austria and thirdly being part og a larger body of scholars, past and present from all over the world.

While hobknobbing with the director of the foundation, in my best Deutsch, I expressed my sincerest sentiments of gratitude. He replied that by hosting students like myself a reciprocity is created because though thry give us the financial means to study here, our presence aided in fostering what he termed 'much needed cultural exchange'.

After having sipfuls of refreshing Baden white wine, networking with the gamut of other scholars and seizing several photographable moments, I desembarked the sea craft with several life imprints . They are huddled below.

1. HAve i made the best of this experience? How have these experiences and new knowledge been inculcated within my profession?

2. My newly made friend Thomas happened to have been the recipient of both the BW stupendium and a Fulbright one as well. He, like many other faces along my organic life path, planted inside of me the motivation to go for gold with the Fulbright. What's stopping me from achieving such stellar academic excellence? Watch out world

3. The motto of the foundation reads 'Sponsoring futures'. How can I in whatever miniscule manner do this for who, like me are in need of a lil pick me upper?