Hello San Francisco !

CDG Airport

The last two weeks, I had both great and bad moments. From my flight’s delay of more than 10 hours in Paris to my quest of apartment in San Francisco, I tried reminding myself that “things are what they are, and whatever will be, will be” (from the book of Jonas Jonasson The hundred-Year-Old Man who climbed out of the window and disappeared). By the way, although I will not make a summary of this book I definitely recommend it to you. It was difficult to stop worrying but this book helped me to keep in mind that things will happen no matter what we do, so let’s go without the worries…

I will start with the great moments. I just moved to San Francisco for my one year master program of social entrepreneurship at Hult International Business School. As the name indicates, my school is very international because we have people from all around the world. For example in my team work, there are people from Norway, Indonesia, United States, Colombia and Cote d’Ivoire (myself). Add the fact that other students in my program are from Nigeria, Brazil, Senegal, Belgium, France, Japan, Mexico, India … With one of my teammates, we are already planning on exchanging language skills; so who knows what third language I will be speaking by the end of the year?

Another great moment was when I visited the city with my father and brother who happened to came in US for their work, few days after I arrived in San Francisco. With my older brother, we got a chance to do a nightly big bus tour and see this incredible city by night. It was windy, but it was worthy. 

Third and last pleasure was the great books I bought at a big book sale event. I am planning to offer these books before leaving San Francisco but for now I wish to spend unforgettable moments with them. 

As I said at the beginning of this article, everything was not pink and flowers. I am now coming to the bad side of the last days… When people tell you that San Francisco has high rents, you may not actually assimilate how high these rents are, at least I did not. I spent almost 2 years in Atlanta, renting an apartment at a price that most of my friends qualify high compared to other parts of the country. Therefore, I thought that the rents in San Francisco could not be far from those in downtown Atlanta. I was so wrong…

Atlanta

I will spare you the details of my quest but I will just share the lessons I learned while looking for an apartment. The first one is that if you have to live in San Francisco (and probably in other parts of the world) you should do your best to secure an apartment at least a month before you have to start school (in my case) or work. Although I did not find anything suitable there, Craigslist might be a good way to find an apartment or roommates (if you are not afraid about living with complete strangers you meet online). For those with a higher budget, you can also check Zillow.com. However, I have to tell you that studios, not even 1bedroom 1bathroom apartment, are ridiculously expensive for their size. LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS! You want to live on the west coast? Experience life in San Francisco? Great! But do not expect to have the same comfort as back home unless you are willing to put a lot of money in rent.

Another advice is that if you can’t find an apartment to stay - especially because it’s difficult to rent a place you never visited - I would recommend that you book a room with some housing providers like Vantaggio that are much cheaper than hotels. I have experienced both so trust me when I tell you that they are great deals! Of course, you also have to book many weeks in advance because they get rapidly full, especially when students and workers are going back on track.

Despite the difficulty of finding an apartment, San Francisco is an amazing place to visit. In addition to the fact that it is one of the most walkable city in the world, there is always something going on. There are many networking and learnings opportunities available. Last week for example I went to one of the dreamforce events where Susan Wojcicki, the CEO of YouTube and Jessica Alba, co-founder of The honest company were both panelists and talk about their experience as mothers and successful tech and business women…

I did not publish since a very long time ago but change will come in chaa Allah :) I am eager to share everything I learn here. So, see you soon!

London beyond the rain...

Kensington park

I love London when it does not rain. The city amazed me by its beautiful parks where families can enjoy time together. According to the Independent, 47% of the city is green space. I wish Abidjan had such spaces for children to play safely and for people like me to enjoy rides or readings. Another great fact about London is the number of cyclists. It is not rare to see many cyclists riding in front of the bus without worrying that they might get hurt. I can’t even imagine this in my country and for that I say great job Londoners! What is still awkward for me after being in London for more than three weeks (in addition to the variety of accents) is the fact that the driver seats on the right side of the car. I still don’t know where to look at before crossing roads and I end up having a torticollis. Whatever…

From the top of Unilever House

One of the reason why I am in London, besides the fact that I love travelling – out of my comfort zone –, is that I am having my first professional experience. I obtained this internship through the Intern Group which is an organization that makes accommodations for students around the world to have an international work experience. So here I am, in London, interning as a Communication and Fundraising Intern with Beyond Food Foundation.

I love the cat attitude

The first day I arrived, I was offered a box of Belgium chocolates. No need to mention then that I love this internship. Beyond Food Foundation is a charity aiming to inspire and motivate people at risk of, or who experienced homelessness to gain meaningful employment. Though 3 programs which are Freshlife, Get Stuck In and the United Kitchen Apprenticeship, they train and mentor people affected by homelessness in London and therefore also contribute to reduce unemployment. As my first work experience, I did not know what to expect. But the convivial atmosphere, and the importance of our mission helped me to be more comfortable. I had the opportunity to visit some apprentices at their work, the kitchen of Unilever staff (I enjoyed a wonderful barbecue from the Chef), assisted to cheese masterclasses demonstration, and got an entry for Taste of London.

Thank you Chef!

Working to impact the future of someone is something, but having the chance to see and eat some free delicious meals along the way is definitely one of the best way I could start my entry into the professional world. I am so grateful for having this opportunity to meet incredible people who care about others. St Augustine said that the world is a book and those who do not travel, read only one page…. You know how much I love reading, so staying at one page is definitely not for me. Take the opportunity to go somewhere else. It doesn’t matter whether it is in a new country or just a new city. There are so much things to see behind your windows. I wish that everything I am learning here, and will have the chance to learn in other places, will give me the skills to provide meaningful solutions to some of Cote d’Ivoire’s issues. But for now, let me enjoy my remaining days in London and help to inspire others. 

Keeping the child in me

Stubborn, Little and Blacky

Stubborn saw Little and decided to take a rest.

He decided that he would have a discussion with Little no matter what Woman thought.  

 Yes it was sure that between him and Woman one was the master; but nothing said that it was the one holding the leash.

Woman wanted to go. Stubborn wanted to talk. Little did not have too much time and preferred going along with his human.

Stubborn was sad but not for too long because Blacky immediately emerged.

Stubborn was happier. He got a friend who actually wanted to spend time with him.

Man did not mind letting Blacky hang out with Stubborn.

But Woman was not very patient and was already tired of Stubborn's caprice.

After many attempts, Woman finally convinced Stubborn to go but he only went with her because he already got a date, same place, same time.

 

This is what happens in my head while waiting for the Lyft driver. Ayethink...

The Perfect Place...

I have found the perfect place.

A place of calm and quietude in the center of modernization.

A place of purity in the center of pollution.

A place where simple moments spent with loved ones will create the best memories.

A place that could testify that Erik loves Nia.

I have found the perfect place where I could let my thoughts go around without being bothered.

I have found the perfect place where I could read and flirt with the characters.

I have found the perfect place where I could write about my feelings, create stories and give life 

to people who only exist in my imagination.

I have found the perfect place where I could bring a special person just to do like movies characters.

I have found the perfect place where I could go to evade from the city.

I have found the perfect place where the birds’ song is the only melody worth listening to. 

I have found the perfect place that I should have been looking for one year ago. While I only have few days to spend in Atlanta, I promise myself to take more time to explore the next cities I will have the chance to visit or settle in. Don’t be like me and find a perfect place before having to go. 

Closing An Old Chapter...

Yesterday was the end of something that started four years ago. When I entered the International University of Grand Bassam two weeks after getting my High School Diploma, I was far away from thinking that the next four years would have been full of so memorable memories. I have never understood the excitement about getting new diplomas until the last few days. I took my last classes yesterday and I realized that it’s not only about closing an old chapter but more about writing a new one.

My teacher of Strategic Management asked us what we wish we would have done differently during our years at Georgia State University. And I am saying this because I hope that it will be helpful for someone taking the same path. I wish that I believed earlier in myself and stepped out of my comfort zone. I believe that this would have led me to take more leadership positions on campus and created even more beautiful experiences than what I have lived. I wish that I had started earlier to exchange with my professors and I promise you that when it will be time for recommendation letters, you will think about this advice.

When I took that flight on August 16^th 2013, I knew that I was coming to study in the United States. What I ignored was that I would learn more about myself and develop a national identity that I have never experienced before in Ivory Coast. Here I have not only learned about financial concepts.

I have built houses with international students.

I have volunteered with the American Red Cross through the Red Cross Club at GSU.

I have promoted the Ivorian culture to middle school students in U.S and college students from Taiwan.

I have listened to incredible stories from the Dalai Lama, Steve Harvey, John Lewis and other amazing people.

I have faced the fear of not being understood, but I am learning to raise my voice.

As a normal student, I have faced the nights of regrets while procrastinating but thanks God I have been able to maintain good grades.

I have met professors who offer donuts for their last days of class or who write a beautiful note card for every student in their classes.

I stood at the same place where Martin Luther King gave his “I have a dream” speech.

And today, I hope that this step will just be one to build my own dream.

In two years, I have learned the importance of having an impact in the community though the smallest act.  I have learned that the comfort zone is a dark place that limit the potential of people and that the only way of shining is getting out of it. I have learned that one person can make a difference but it takes a village to make a durable change. I have learned that everything depends on whose hands it is. A tennis racket may seem useless in my hands, but in Serena Williams hands, it worth millions of dollars. Any tool can be powerful depending on the person who uses them. The knowledge that I have accumulated during these four years, will only be powerful if I use them in the right way. But most of all, I have lived with and met incredible people that I will always keep in a special place in my heart and in my head. 

In four months, it will be the beginning for a new objective in a new university, in a new state but for now, please no assignments. IT IS HOLIDAYS!