When I applied for ICS it was just another way to make my resume more marketable and
attractive. Being a young graduate having just completed my mandatory National Youth
Service Year, it was a perfect excuse not to sit idle at home. To be honest, I
am very passionate about development and quite conversant about VSO activities
in Nigeria but I never knew it would be this interesting until I was recruited
for the programme.
I work in Lafia
and the weather is extremely hot even for a Nigerian like me and so boring! All this changed when I started working in my community (Aridi), I’ve never
imagined myself working on a farm or with farmers, the programme has introduced me to
farming and I am having a swell time! Our community action and global citizen
days have also made me more knowledgeable on so many global development issues. Just
like ICS had promised that volunteers would acquire new skills, I am acquiring
new ones. I am a political science graduate that knows nothing about
agriculture, compost pits and so many other things but now I know.
My public
speaking skills have improved, I can address a crowd of 1million if need be, I’m
also learning two new languages (Eggon and Hausa) which is a good package. I
possess better presentation skills, I am more creative and can work in an
environment of diverse cultures, I am more open and free
minded, my negotiation skills have improved, because we get to do loads of
negotiation. I have acquired so many other skills I can’t put into writing and
the good thing is these are skills that money cannot buy. I have also made new
friends, and my counterpart, who is British, is amazing. Having a roommate who
is a foreigner, though it might sound challenging to the ordinary ear
because of the variance in cultures, is also a wonderful experience! I also have new
parents (my host home family) and I feel so happy!
Finally, no
degree in the world can give you self-confidence, make you a good team player
and give you pro-active leadership skills, only an amazing programme like ICS
can give you this.
ICS is truly a
programme every young person should partake in.
Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Omotoyosi Oyebanji
VSO-ICS, Lafia team.
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