There is a certain comfort that comes with familiarity. Having served as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer in my home country, Ghana, I thought I had it all figured out when I embarked on my current exchange service in Senegal. The thought “I’ve done this before” crept in, but as I settled into a different cultural setting, it became clear that this mindset could be limiting. It is the illusion of mastery that could blind me from seeing the rich, new experiences unfolding right in front of me.
While the overall framework of service might be the same; community integration, human-centered design, and facilitating community-led development, every new experience has been an opportunity for my growth and learning. In its beauty and uniqueness, Senegal has been a powerful reminder that even the familiar can hold growth opportunities when approached with an open mind.
Here’s what Senegal has taught me so far:
A New Way of Life
One of the most profound parts of this journey has been immersing myself in Senegalese culture. My host family, the Ndiayes, welcomed me with open arms and gave me a new name (Ramatoulaye Ndiaye), and their way of life taught me to see things differently, even in things as simple as meals. This has reshaped my understanding of the importance of meals as not just sustenance, but a deeply cultural act of connection. Though many ingredients here are familiar from Ghana, the flavors, preparation, and social significance were completely different. In Senegal, meals are a collective experience and a daily act of togetherness. Here, we gather on a mat around a large communal bowl, sharing food prepared in bulk. The meal is eaten with our hands, and my host mother, with remarkable care, ensures each person gets their share of vegetables, meat, or fish.
What I have found particularly fascinating as a nutritionist is how fruits are creatively incorporated into meals. Imagine mashed mangoes, tamarin, or lemon layered on a bowl of rice. This is delightful and has become one of my favorite aspects of Senegalese cuisine.
They often call out to me, saying, “Rama, kay añee,” which means “Rama, come for lunch” in Wolof. This practice goes beyond nourishment, it’s a shared experience that embodies the essence of Teranga, Senegal’s culture of hospitality.
Language has also played a huge role. The people here have been incredibly patient and warm, often laughing as they correct my mistakes and teach me new phrases. Their sense of humor and warmth, helped me improve my language skills and opened up new ways of communicating and understanding people on a deeper level.
A Familiar Experience, But With New Perspectives
When I started Pre-Service Training (PST) in Senegal, I assumed it would simply be a revision of the one I had already completed in Ghana. Yet, this training quickly opened up new perspectives I had not considered before. The way community dynamics function here, the strategies for engagement, and even the local challenges all required a fresh approach. I was learning new tools and strategies specific to Senegal, engaging in cross-cultural exchanges that expanded my understanding of how to serve in this new environment effectively. Had I approached this training with the mindset of “I’ve done this before,” I would have missed these invaluable lessons.
The Danger of “I’ve Done This Before”
At the heart of all these experiences is a key lesson: when we think we have done something before, we close ourselves off to the opportunity for growth. This can be true in any setting. Whether you are redoing a project at work, revisiting a community you have served before, or stepping into a new environment that seems familiar. Familiarity breeds comfort, but we evolve by pushing beyond that comfort zone. Leaning too heavily on past experiences without embracing the present can lead to stagnation.
Each day here is a reminder to stay curious, open-minded, and adaptable. No matter how much experience I may have, there is always something new to learn, something more to discover, because the people, the culture, and the communities are different.
Learning from the new, while building on the old
The journey so far has reminded me that personal growth is not about repeating what we have done before but about how we evolve in doing it. The most fulfilling moments in Senegal have come from letting go of my assumptions and embracing the unknown. I have made mistakes, learned from them, and adapted, not by doing things the same way as before, but by being present and responsive to this new environment.