A Reflective Piece - The Bridge Program (TBP). - PT 1
Torn Between Memories: Dorm 5, House Himalayas, Volunteering, Reflections, Educators, My Story Session, Deep Conversations, The Big FIVE and Post-Camp Thoughts.
Dear Subscribers of The Reader's Journal,
I hope this message finds you well. First and foremost, I want to extend my sincerest apologies to each and every one of you. The silence and inconsistency that you've witnessed on Reader's Journal over the past few months were never intentional. I deeply regret any disappointment this may have caused.
During this period, life took me on a journey filled with unexpected challenges. I grappled with depression, battled procrastination, and faced various personal and academic hurdles. Amidst all this, the commitment to my blog suffered. I know that many of you have been patiently waiting for new bookish contents, and for that, I am truly sorry.
However, I want you to know that I haven't been idle during this time. Despite the challenges, I managed to engage myself in some remarkable literary and learning adventures. Thus, I feel compelled to tell you about an experience that has had a profound impact in my life in year. This remarkable experience is known as The Bridge Program, a Bootcamp that took most of my August 2023 (13th - 27th).
The Bridge Program (TBP).
The Bridge Program is a flagship program of the Afara Initiative. It is a highly selective fellowship that identifies and develops change-makers to build Nigeriaβs leadership capacity across sectors. This annual fellowship marks the beginning of an extraordinary learning journey in my life. It started with a two-week intensive bootcamp that will set the stage for a lifetime of learning, mentorship, access to invaluable resources, and a pathway to a successful leadership expedition. I was among the 60 Fellows chosen from a pool of over 1250 applicants, representing various universities across Nigeria. The application process was rigorous and I was excited when I got the mail that announced my acceptance into the program.
The intensive bootcamp was in Lagos and we were taught using experiential learning methodologies. The curriculum was meticulously designed, focusing on key areas including entrepreneurial leadership, emotional intelligence, identity and mental models, context and needs awareness, critical thinking, empathy and feedback, project work, business model canvas, effective networking, innovation and entrepreneurship, political economy, effective communication, negotiations, digital productivity skills, career readiness, and competence.
The Bridge Program Bootcamp experience exposed me to some of the brightest and sharpest young minds I've ever encountered. My interactions with these remarkable individuals - Co-fellows, Volunteers, and Educators - transcended mere networking. It was a transformative encounter that redefined my perspective on the world and reignited my hope for a brighter future in Nigeria.
Dorm 5
Dorm 5 was my room away from home during my unforgettable stay at TBP Bootcamp. It was where I shared countless moments with some of the sharpest undergraduates I've ever had the privilege to meet. Dorm 5 was like an executive room for Fellows as it was strategically positioned close to the Educators' room. Dorm 5 felt like the epicenter of global opportunities, intellectual exchange and camaraderie.
I was in the company of Seun (Oxon Scholar), Global Joshua, the witty MC Cephas, the reserved Damilare, the insightful and ambitious Donald, and the charismatic Israel. We attended classes in pairs, talked about Nigeria or world issues, and discussed endless global opportunities (Fellowships, Scholarships, Internships). In Dorm 5, I found not only intellectual stimulation and curiosity but also lasting friendships and a sense of belonging that will stay with me for a lifetime.
House Himalayas.
House Himalayas at The Bridge Program Bootcamp was more than just a House; it was a family, an experience filled with friendship, learning, and shared victories. House Himalayas was a deep connection that defined my entire stay at the bootcamp.
βReady, Set, Global" is this year's theme for the entire Afara Initiative Community. This theme set the stage for naming our houses after popular Mountains around the world - Everest, Denali, Olympus, Kilimanjaro and Himalayas. Among these incredible houses, I proudly belonged to the House Himalayas β undoubtedly, the best house. From the very moment we learned we'd be housemates, the connection among us was palpable. We started as strangers, but the knowledge that we'd be spending most of our camp time together formed an instant bond. We metamorphosed from housemates to lifelong friends and growth partners.
House Himalayas played a pivotal role in my TBP bootcamp experience. It was here I learned the true essence of teamwork and collaboration. We navigated through diverse opinions, solved different experiential games or problems (Marshmallow Tower, Rope challenge, Hot Seat), respecting each other's personal space, and fostering an experiential learning environment where vulnerability was welcomed. My time in House Himalayas pushed me to explore aspects of myself that I hadn't tapped into before (I believe I developed my emotional intelligence skill of empathy).
Beyond the valuable lessons, we shared moments of leisure, indulging in diverse music and talk shows that I wouldn't have experienced on my own. As a House, we clinched victory in the inter-house games. This success was a testimony to our strong team spirit, where collective goals always took precedence over personal one
No discussion of my time in House Himalayas would be complete without acknowledging the incredible role our Educator, Eddy, played. Eddy was the glue that bound us together. She created a safe space for us to learn and express ourselves. Her discipline in class and unwavering leadership and drive during the inter-house games inspired us all. Eddy was the guiding force we needed, and we followed her with open minds, gratitude and respect. My time and memories in House Himalayas will forever hold a special place.
Volunteering.
My role in the Hospitality Team provided a unique opportunity to connect with Co-fellows, Volunteers, and Educators on a deeper level during the bootcamp. The Hospitality Team was responsible for ensuring the well-being of everyone at the camp, including visitors and guest speakers. Collaborating with fellow volunteers like Big Tams, Eniola, David, Kenny, Victoria, Samuel, ZaYe, and Seun was a rewarding experience. It allowed me to tap into my innate love for people and problem-solving. This experience not only enriched my journey at The Bridge Program but also reaffirmed my commitment to making a positive impact through volunteering.
Reflections.
At The Bridge Program Bootcamp, I saw Reflections as part of our lives - They were our Daily Nourishment.
The Bridge Program stands out because of its unique approach to learning. As my friend and fellow student from the University of Jos, Abraham, once said, "If I was taught like this, in this program, throughout my education so far, I probably would have turned out much more intelligent than I already am."
The program embraces experiential learning as its core teaching method, and this is reinforced through daily reflectionsβa practice that became a fundamental part of our daily routine. These moments of reflection were transformative for me. They allowed me to delve deeper into self-discovery and ignited a passion for expressing myself through writing. During these moments, I could temporarily set aside the distractions of the outside world and focus solely on the valuable lessons I was learning daily at the Bootcamp.
Today, I read my first reflection for the bootcamp - "A Letter to my Future Self" and I believe I achieved my major goals during the bootcamp - a renewed sense of energy, hope for a brighter future, and most importantly, lasting friendships and life-changing connections that I will forever cherish. I feel so proud of myself.
Dear Readers, Stay Tuned for the Second Part of My Interesting and Transformative TBP Bootcamp experience!
Global Superstar Chris!!!