Adventure is a sure way to gain interesting experiences, knowledge and stories you can laugh about later (Because you know they sure as heck may not be funny in that moment). In my opinion, the biggest and most rewarding adventures include leaving your comfort zone and throwing yourself courageously into the unknown. That was me a couple of years ago, at the threshold of an adventure I might regret or enjoy. There was only one way to find out.

In a quest for a new environment and a good education, I left DR Congo, my home country in 2015 to find shelter under the skies of the land of the brave: Namibia. My mouth full of French and my native language Swahili, I knew I was going to face some challenges. I had to learn the various array of cultures here and learn to speak English at the same time, never mind being culturally sensitive, that would have to come later with more local interaction. Being an open-minded person, it was not a big deal to get along with people but learning a new language definitely was. The hours of practice and reading required were grueling. What was supposed to be an adventure was rapidly turning into a nightmare! In my mind I wasn’t learning fast enough, and I was embarrassed when I made mistakes. I had to remind myself why I was here. Eventually, I succeeded in enrolling for the Journalism programme where of course mastery of the English language is crucial. Now I am a happy second year Journalism student because I have never conceived the idea of giving up. It is still not easy; I commit myself to giving two hundred percent where only one hundred is required. But I know it will all be worth it.

The real voyage of discovery, says Marcel Proust, consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. I have new eyes that see the world differently; a mind that understands better the beautiful diversity in culture, and a heart that knows the value of courageousness. This is what gets me through my adventure, despite the challenges.

By Antonio Barera