You Are Not Just Anybody

Have you ever felt deaf in a place, even though you weren't? 

If yes, you'll probably find yourself somewhere in these two stories. If not, read them anyway—they might change the way you see the students around you who are quietly fighting a battle you can't hear.

The first time I heard about the International Relations Council at ALA, I attended the info session and was impressed, not because I had any particular interest in the field, but because of how effortlessly the members expressed their ideas. From that day, I told myself: "I will do my best to get into this council." 

I knew it wouldn't be easy; the biggest challenge was that I was still figuring out what life looked like in an environment where the language wasn't mine. But I was determined to do everything I could to get in. Fortunately, I was admitted. I thought that was the hardest part. It wasn't. Not even close.

My first classes and my first mock session sounded to me the way French might sound to most of you. I understood nothing. I watched my peers moving easily between activities, asking questions, proposing motions for debate while the only thing on my mind was: "Am I going to be as fluent as they were one day?"

Understanding the modules felt like an eternity; by the time I finally grasped a concept, everyone had already moved on to the next one. They were debating motions while I was still trying to understand what a motion even was. Honestly, I wanted to give up. I didn't feel like I belonged. Those Friday classes started to feel like a test, while everyone else seemed to be enjoying themselves.

But as you may have experienced, in those moments you can always find support somewhere. My roommate encouraged me. She reminded me how privileged I was to have gotten in, when many others had failed or hadn't even tried. I started seeing those sessions not as tests but as a space to grow: my English, my public speaking, my critical thinking. I started enjoying them, especially when representing the countries I learned so much about through my interactions with people on campus. I found good people willing to explain things to me, or simply to slow down for me.

One of the best moments of this whole experience was the African Leadership Academy Model African Union (ALAMAU), where I got to be part of the staff. This time, I was the one people came to for help. Participants approached me for feedback and tips to improve their skills as delegates.

I was proud of myself. I never imagined I would thrive enough to help others.

Looking back today, I see a courageous person who found her way to the light in what once felt like darkness. I came out of this experience more grown and more aware of my own abilities. Not speaking a language does not mean you don't belong in a place where that language is spoken.

You belong wherever you decide you belong.

–Audrey

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I wish my story was as "fancy" as Audrey's. My name is Nadia, and when I first arrived at ALA, my strategy was simple: avoid anything that would push me to speak. I thought it was smart. In reality, I was just scared—scared to make mistakes, scared of judgments, scared that people would disrespect me. Suddenly, my whole life started to revolve around English. A language I was afraid would never truly be mine. 

I still remember my first advisory. I was just looking at all those people speaking English, and part of me believed this place wasn't mine. My tears started to fall, so I left. I didn't want people to pity me. I was angry. I could have just stayed at my old school and had a safe future. Now I wasn't even sure what my future would look like, because I had lost the will to keep going. The only moment I wasn't stressed was when I was asleep.

But somehow, I discovered a new version of myself in my Omang class. The one who is passionate, who wants to be heard and to listen to other people's stories. Slowly, I started building confidence. Every time I spoke was a win.

I gained enough confidence to apply for an internship that almost everyone told me I wouldn't get into. I still remember something my brother once told me: "The best place to learn is outside your comfort zone." I really wanted to prove it, and I got in, while some anglophone students didn't. That was the only sign I needed to feel like I belonged here, and that even if I didn't yet, I would make it mine. I had no excuses left. The only thing left to do was become the best version of myself. 

I still laugh now, thinking back on all these memories.

Remember, the harder it is, the better the result will be. It's either an excuse or a success.

Never let a language be a barrier for you. It hits hard, we know, but you are not just anybody. Do not let anyone, even yourself, limit you or make you feel inferior because of what you cannot yet do.

If you want to apply for IRC, a campus job, an internship… go for it. Try. Take the risk. Fight for it. You might cry sometimes, or feel like everything is unfair, but never lose yourself.

What you think is pity is actually others showing compassion.

ALA itself is designed to be tough, but you need to be tougher. Even if you fail, you will discover another side of yourself: the courageous one, who goes through it when many others don't even try.

Whether you're francophone, lusophone, arabophone, or even anglophone, remember that you are a star. Never let anything kill your light. And remember all the support you have around you.

You've got this.

–Nadia