The Arrow Summer 2021

A W d t t International udents – Jervonio Theron Rigby Good morning. I am Jervonio Rigby from Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. The thought of coming to Oak Hill my first year brought feelings of apprehension, I had various thoughts that I wouldn’t fit in or be accepted, but the moment I stepped foot on campus my thoughts were reconstructed. I was greeted with warm welcomes by students and staff that made me feel at home. Even though I was far away from Turks and Caicos, I met people like Emeka and Ethan that I could talk to about culture, music and food. The most difficult part for me was coming from an island and going to high mountains and cold weather. However living in such a diverse environment has been a privilege because I have been exposed to different languages, foods (like Jollof rice), dances (like the Shaku Shaku), and different expressions from around the world; one of my favourites is “fashi” meaning “forget.” In exchange I taught them reggae songs and creole slang like “Sezi” or “Mezami,” which mean surprise. I have been a long way from home, but it has been worth it. If I were at home I would have been in a class of 30+ students instead of here where I am in a class of 10. For current international students, I would encourage you to take full advantage of the activities and opportunities that are given, such as fishing, baking, leadership clubs, and team sports. Opportunities like these build character and moral development, as they have for me. The opportunity to graduate is a blessing and every end has a new beginning. For my fellow international students I say to you the best is yet to come, continue to be industrious and incorruptible. With that I would like to say: gam-sah-nida, Dan-ke, messi, gracias and, in other words, THANK YOU!l