Finding a Home at Ashesi: One Graduate’s Story On Leaving the U.S for Ghana
Written by Vanessa Amoako ’16, B.Sc. Business Administration
As cheesy as this sounds, I woke up today and it took me a moment to realise that yesterday wasn’t just another really great dream. Graduation happened, and it was a beautiful reality of celebrating four years of great accomplishments!
Time really does fly. I remember returning home to Ghana four years ago to begin another stage of my life. It was very easy for many to wonder why on earth I would trade a life in the U.S. for one in Ghana especially after amassing a number of recognitions and achievements. But no one knew what I held in my heart and the energy and confidence with which I was willing to fulfil my purpose. Out of all the colleges I applied to and got accepted into, my acceptance into Ashesi University College was the most exciting.
September 2012 came rather quickly and as I sat in Lecture Hall 116 with my class on the first day of our Orientation Week, I immediately felt proud to be part of such a diverse class. Each of us was on a different yet special journey, and I was glad to see how we would evolve into courageous, ethical and socially conscious humans who would turn Africa on its right path for the better.
These past four years have been challenging, and everyone who knows me well knows that I love a good challenge. But they’ve also been insightful, inspiring, wonderful and above all, fulfilling. I’m grateful for all the lessons learned, the failures, the laughter from deep within, the heart-rending tears shed, the anger, the uncertainty, the passion, the determination, the commitment and the friendships built with students, faculty and staff alike.
I don’t ever regret the decision to return home. I bless the day I said to my mom, “I’m ready to go home now.” The smile that symbolized her acceptance is one that I would always remember with great joy.
Thank you, Ashesi, and everyone in it, for an amazing four years! I would always value the wonderful friendships that were at the center of my experience. Keep shining, Class of 2016!
Mommy, thank you, for giving me the world! I appreciate you and Stacey Amoako for laughing with me, for listening patiently to my late night rants about everything that seemed to be going wrong, for cheering me on for everything that was going right, for making me smile again and for igniting my passion whenever I dared to think of giving up! I love you both more than I can say!
Thank you to my family and all the wonderful humans who have become people I call my family. I’m grateful for, and in awe, of your endless enouragement and support!
The next stage of my life is brewing and who knows where I would end up. I sure hope this fire keeps burning.
