In the two weeks we stayed in Nyamata, most mornings consisted of a walk, either to AVEH to work with the children or a trip to the local market to purchase some amandaze and explore. Along this road is the Nyamata High School, a boarding and day school for students age 15-20. With each walk passing the gates of the school, I become more curious to learn about the students’ daily lives and what they plan to do after high school. I knew that though our lives may look very different from a far, both my community of students at home in Massachusetts and the community of students in Nyamata have the same common goal to eventually move onto something greater. As high schoolers, we all are striving to achieve our goals and reach a feeling of pride due to our successes. To some, this goal is to simply graduate high school, while others see themselves in ten years as business owners and government officials. Across the world, our generation is gaining more resources and opportunities to set our standards higher for our futures.

Though I was hesitant to venture onto the campus of Nyamata High School due to fear of language barrier confusion and general awkwardness, I decided that I would tag along with the group of Putney students who had already been on several trips to engage with the students. Welcomed with hugs, I immediately felt a prominent sense of kindness on the campus—something my school lacks. With handshakes, high fives, and genuine smiles, the students demolished my original fears and brought comfort and ease to our conversations. Though I wanted to learn from the interactions I had with the five students I talked to, I made sure that each conversation developed naturally. I knew that me asking each person one question would only seem artificial, forced and one sided. So, I went into the school with the goal to simply talk.

Right away I was thoroughly impressed with the evident passion and drive each student has to achieve their future plans. Students were quick to answer and even explained why they picked their dream career and the steps they are taking now to get there. Their confidence and intelligence is beyond their ages.

Vanessa
Age: 17
Dream job: Air hostess

David
Age: 18
Dream job: Doctor

Mihgo
Age: 16
Dream job: Doctor in army

Tim
Age: 19
Dream job: International business man

Derek
Age: 17
Dream job: Journalist

As I reflect back on our stay in Nyamata and Rwanda overall, I see how important these trips to the high school were. Not only were phone numbers, emails, and social media accounts exchanged to remain connected between our groups, but I personally felt a wall broken down. Without walking in those gates and beginning conversations, I would still continue to have an uneducated idea in my head of what the students are like. It is easy to only consider the differences between our schools and communities, as opposed to realizing all that we have in common. Talking to students my age allowed me to become more aware of the unconscious thoughts I have of a person based on what their life looks like compared to mine. In reality, all of us are trying to become something. We are all waking up each morning, going to our classes and working towards our goals.

I’m forever grateful for the welcoming and passionate students at Nyamata High School. They allowed me to step back and realize all that we have in common.