Before I get into my existential angst, happy birthday to me. On this relatively special day, I am a year older. Or not. I read somewhere that your birthday isn’t actually the day you begin a new year. Rather, it is the completion of the previous year. With that logic, I start a new year the day after my birthday, I apologize if this confused you, I felt the same way when I first learned about it. Be that as it may, it is my birthday. ... Read the Post...
Western Media and the Misrepresentation of Africa
There is a video going around where a group of girls were asked what was the first thing that came to their minds when they think of Africa. And their reply was “less food, no water, and poor”. As an African living in the diaspora, I wasn’t the least bit shocked. It was expected because many westerners seem to think that Africa is synonymous with poverty, hunger, diseases, and illiteracy. And this is not a Jab at the girls, they're just an ... Read the Post...
The Price We Pay for the Things We Want
What I want is simple. I want to be art, create art, and consume art. I want to practice all my hobbies in fulfillment knowing I am doing the things that I want. The things that bring me inherent pleasure and joy. I want to listen to coffee table jazz in the background while reading a good book as I let my imaginations take me places I’ve never been, through the book. I don’t want to imagine being at the beach. I want to already be ... Read the Post...
Immigrants Living in Limbo: When No Place Is Home
There is a popular saying that goes, “A house can be home, but a home can’t be a house." I wholeheartedly resonate with this. What truly makes a home? Is it the location, emotional connection, people, sense of belonging, or a combination of all of the above? If so, where exactly is home for immigrants? I was having a friendly discourse with my immigrant friend, and I mentioned how I won’t be going home for Christmas break because of ... Read the Post...
The Importance of Research for International Students
Dear international student, Please make research Your best friend. Here's why. Generally, the excitement that comes with moving to a different country often overshadows our ignorance. That is our lack of knowledge of what is and what is to come when we arrive. There is a steep learning curve that comes with moving abroad. This occurs especially in people whose socialization mainly took place in their home country. People like me. Some ... Read the Post...
It Gets Worse, Then It Gets Better.
I find it amazing how you can be enjoying your day and Snapchat will remind you of the worst day(s) of your life. These memories are usually haunting. But this time, it came with an epiphany. While replying to messages on snap, I see a memory from five years ago. It was a picture of my hair with a sizeable bald patch at the back. Five years ago, life was dealing with me. Five years ago, I had Alopecia. This was triggered by immense ... Read the Post...
Things Not to Say to an International Student
As we approach the start of a new academic year this fall, I couldn’t help but be reminiscent of my first time attending school in the U.S. It was exhilarating. People were so fascinated by my being Nigerian. My name being Gift made the fascination all the more extreme. You name it, I’ve probably heard the "Gift" pun. I always find them amusing, quite frankly. But the fascination often leads to endless questions and comments about where I’m ... Read the Post...
Sad For Us and Proud Of Us
Yesterday, I went to the University of Indianapolis for the Juneteenth celebration. This beautiful event featured the works of talented black creatives. And my friend Sam Onche was part of that bunch. I got a chance to see his work in person at the art exhibit. I gawked at how drawn people were to his pieces. I stood back and watched each individual admire and try to analyze his work. Words can’t express the pride I felt. While people admired the ... Read the Post...
10 Things You Should Know Before Moving To America
I have been living in the U.S for close to 7 years and I have come to learn a lot about this great nation. So, I thought I’d share a few things you should know about living in America. I moved here, like many, unprepared for what is to come. Truth is, I don’t think one can ever be fully prepared for what to expect when moving to a new country. There are some things a simple google search won’t do justice to. You learn by full immersion in the ... Read the Post...
Knowing When To Let Go And Move On
The Sunk Cost Fallacy: The irrational decision to commit to something due to past investment such as time, money, or emotion, instead of the rational decision to quit. I am highly susceptible to the sunk cost fallacy myself. I hold on for longer than I should because of what I have put into that specific thing. I keep eating even after I’m full to the brim because I don’t want to waste food. I stick to that godawful book because I already ... Read the Post...
Doing Life with Friends
A while back a girl mentioned how I had a lot of friends. If you know me, then you know I rave about my friends any chance I get. Except, she said this in a mocking way. Jokes on her because I do love having my community of friends. I really do. The coffee addict, the ones with dark humor, the athletes, the book worms, the artsy and nature girlies. Each one of them brings some form of value to my life. And I never take that for granted. Truth ... Read the Post...
This Little Light of Mine
When there’s life, there’s hope. My mother’s favorite saying. Whenever we are faced with adversities, she reminds us that as long as we’re alive, it's not over yet. I hold these words dear to my heart. Just like the majority of people on this planet, I have endured endless challenges; ups and downs, trials and tribulations. Whichever way you want to categorize the difficult chapters of life. But through it all, there always seems to ... Read the Post...
Never Underestimate the Power of the Little Things
In an attempt to romanticize my life, I woke up this morning early enough to catch the sunrise. I packed my bag, hopped on my not-so-little pink bike, and rode off to the beach to catch the sunrise. I sat on the floor with my morning coffee, my laptop, and my Spotify French playlist. I came for the sunrise, but I got so much more. I experienced people peopling. And it was the most satisfying thing to watch. I witnessed an old couple holding ... Read the Post...
Expat Grief: losing a loved one while living abroad
When we think about moving abroad, we focus on the great parts. We glamorize the new life we’re about to experience. The excitement of experiencing a different and better life in some cases is all you can envision. There’s no time to consider the topic of death. Why would you? Death seems like something that happens to other people. I often talk about the struggles and challenges that come with moving abroad: depression, loneliness, loss of ... Read the Post...
The High, the Low, and the Middle
On some days, I have it all figured out. I see the bigger picture and it is crystal clear. Life seems doable. I wake up with all the enthusiasm in the world ready to conquer my day and chase my dreams. On those days, I check all the boxes on my to-do list. I am excited about everything. Elated, dare I say. After all said and done, I even light a candle or two, play some background classical music, read a book to end the day. Bliss! Then there ... Read the Post...
Four Mindsets to Leave Behind in 2021
It is the last day of the year. The end of a year that seemed like a decade. The year 2021 really did a number on us. But through the chaos, we kept going. Moving happy, moving sad, moving exhausted, moving intentionally, moving heartbroken, but moving regardless. The end of the year means the beginning of another. The clock doesn’t stop. We have to keep moving especially in the right direction. Before we begin with our new year's resolutions ... Read the Post...
Living Abroad and Spending the Holiday Alone
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Maybe for some. For others, it’s the loneliest time of the year. For expats like me, spending holidays like Christmas away from home can be difficult. Expat depression tends to hit a little harder during this time of the year as well. It is easy to get sad and dread the holiday. People around you are soaking up the Christmas spirit and enjoying the festivities with their families. And you are alone, ... Read the Post...
10 Things I Am Thankful For
In the spirit of thanksgiving, I thought I'd share with you all ten things I am thankful for. The purpose of my blog is to share my experience living abroad. My first few posts about expat, toxic coaches, and healing have been mostly about my struggles and challenges. I would be doing a disservice if I didn’t give a holistic view of my experience. This includes the good part; the parts I enjoy the most. To keep things short and sweet so we can go ... Read the Post...
What Healing Actually looks Like: At least for me
I know I published Expat Depression and Toxic Coaches and dipped. Well, your girl has been in therapy fighting for her life. Childhood trauma got hands. Sis can fight! For a very long time, I’ve been functioning. I’ve had a relatively good life. I’ve had the opportunity to travel abroad, attend good schools, play the sport I love, make amazing friends and family along the way. Despite all that, there was always an underlying emptiness and ... Read the Post...
Four Toxic Things Coaches Have Said to Me While Playing Basketball in the U.S
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. I can attest to it that this statement is wrong. I get the point whoever first made this statement was trying to pass across, but they must have never heard about verbal abuse. Words do hurt and cause trauma and other psychological disorders as well. Over time, while playing basketball in America, some of my coaches have said threatening, condescending, and degrading words to me ... Read the Post...
Expat Depression and Loneliness No One Tells You About Moving Abroad
Five years, five months, and ten days away from home and I can never seem to get used to this feeling. I might look like I am okay, but deep down, I miss my friends and family. So when you see me crushing that AMRAP at my CrossFit box, on the street walking my beautiful Great Dane dog, playing pick up at the park, or enjoying my morning cup of Folgers coffee, know that I am daydreaming about my loved ones back home. And looking forward to the day ... Read the Post...
About
Hello, My name is Gift Sampson. I am a Nigerian international student-athlete. I migrated to the U.S in 2016 for school and basketball. And I have been living here ever since. My migration journey like many hasn’t been without challenges. I began this blog to share my immigration challenges in hopes of creating awareness. And help others seeking to start their migration journey as well. But my passion for writing and sharing stories goes beyond ... Read the Post...