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Wednesday 26 March 2014

Chronicles of Sebastian - How a German Boy Ends up in Nigeria

Hiya everyone, last week I gave an introduction HERE to the new mid-week feature on 1 + The One about this guy who emailed me out of the blue some weeks back (the story itself is a testimony and I continuously give God all the glory!!)

Sebastian is a German guy who was an exchange student in Nigeria for 6months! He will be sharing some of the exciting, funny and interesting moments he had while he was here.. I hope you enjoy the read and please save all your questions for him, I'm sure he'll be happy to oblige :-)

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“Onyeocha!!!” This exclamation (meaning “white man” in Igbo) was either shouted (usually by children) or whispered (by adults) when I entered a remote village, a restaurant or a University classroom. People seemed astonished to see a young white student in their country, Nigeria. “Why did you choose to come to Nigeria?” was probably the question I got asked the most, straight after “How was your night?” and “How do you see the environment?” .

                             


In this ensuing blog series that Ayo graciously invited me to write, I’ll attempt to answer all of these questions and many more. In one of the many Nigerian choruses I’ve learnt to “Count my blessings one by one”, so rather than summarizing my experience in one single blog post, we will take on each topic and each blessing that I’ve received “one by one”. My goal is not to just write about myself, but to hopefully serve and help the readers of this blog with some personal and generals lessons that I’ve learnt along the way. 

Alright, without further ado, let us start with some of these questions. Concerning my night, I can join my Nigerian brothers in saying “We thank God” (I’ve learnt that this answer fits many questions!). Concerning to my coming to Nigeria, I need to explain a little more:

In Germany, I’m a student of both English and History, and in order to become a Secondary School teacher (I’m aware that this is not really the aspiration of most Nigerians, but don’t worry teaching has a slightly different reputation in Germany). Since all English students at my University are now required to go overseas for at least three months (unless they have a baby, which is not the case lol), I was forced to make a decision where to go. Going through the list of my university’s partner universities, I was surprised to find a university in Enugu-Nigeria. A few years ago I worked for nine months in Senegal and since then Africa 'had me'. 

Studying in Nigeria seemed liked an interesting idea, it offered me the opportunity to meet African students in a more natural environment, as opposed to the “helper-helped” hierarchy that volunteer work often brings along. 
So I’ve applied, prayed, got admission and now it was up to me to decide if I really wanted to go. I was not without doubts. A quick Google search on Nigeria presents you with all kinds of evil and dangers, be it Boko Haram in the North, kidnapping in the South or corruption everywhere. O yeah, I forgot to mention Malaria and all other kinds of tropical diseases. My parents were afraid my semester in Nigeria might be my last one and even some of my friends responded in amazement or disbelief when I told them about my plans. In hindsight, I’m glad back then God gave me the clarity and the courage to make my own decision to go to Nigeria nonetheless. I’m quite a people-pleaser and I know we’re to honor our parents, but I think part of growing up and maturity is, making a decision and stick to it, even despite opposition. 

Yet, making a decision does not really remove all your fears and worries. I was still wondering whether I will find friends over there, how my studies will be like etc… We Germans love certainty, we like to plan ahead and we like to sort out as many details as possible. One valuable lesson I’ve learnt in this process was that sometimes we just have to “to go for it” and trust God. 

There is always some level of uncertainty in life, whether you’re about to enter marriage, a new job or, as for me, travel to Nigeria. Prayer and remembering God’s faithfulness in the past definitely helped and gave me a deep sense of peace and confidence that it will be alright.
My five months in Nigeria have been so enriching, encouraging, “warm” (not just in terms of climate :-)) and plain funny, that I’m so glad God walked me through all my doubts and pushed me to go there. It was an adventure I’ll never forget. :)

In the upcoming posts, I will talk about certain aspects of Nigerian life, such as Nigerian Christianity, love and relationships in the context of Nigeria, Nigerian slang etc.. Next week we’re going to look at my impressions during my first weeks in Nigeria and how God helped me with His “small-small guidance”. If you have any special topics you want to hear my take on, please leave a comment below.
Sebastian aka Sabba Sabba


Thanks a lot Sabba Sabba! :-D
I hope you enjoyed reading and smiled at different points of the post like I did..

Don't forget to follow on Twitter @1plustheone
or send an email oneplustheone@gmail.com

May God guide us all every step of the way and give us the grace to make right decisions at every cross-road :-) xx

14 comments:

  1. This should be fun. I'm looking forward to reading more about the many experinces of Sabs. and yea, I just shortened that nickname to Sabs *grin*

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  2. Love his use of our 9ja expressions. You are learning quick! Welcome sabba sabba. Looking forward to this...

    Ps, Ayo, you don come again chei!' Lol

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  3. I like your sense of humour and writing style, Sebastian! I loved this simple line: "One valuable lesson I’ve learnt in this process was that sometimes we just have to “to go for it” and trust God."—this is just what I needed to be reminded of today!

    I'm looking forward to upcoming posts and I know that God will use them to encourage us in our walk with Him.

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  4. I like this guy
    Thanks Ayo(1+ )for such a fellowship

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  5. Sabba Sabba, cant wait to see what you have in store interesting topics

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  6. I cant wait to follow your stories on here Sabba Sabba!
    and I couldn't help but compare you to Richard in Adichie's book-half of a yellow sun, a white man who loved Nigeria and even learned how to speak Igbo during the Biafra war(in the time where the novel was set) but you are more than Richard in more ways than one, you are real and love God..
    God bless you Sabba Sabba.

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  7. wow thank you so much for all your encouraging comments. I can't speak much Igbo, it's quite hard to learn, but I got around with the greetings kedu, imela, bia ba, mba-ooo etc. :)
    @Frances: I definitely need to check out her book, I haven't read that one. I love Adichie's style, I watched her TED talk and was so inspired!!

    @GNG: Thank you!! O my dear I need to be reminded myself, again and again! Fear often gets a grip of me, even though I've experienced God so many times...

    Kachi fo everyone :)

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  8. Seems like this will be fun. Welcome Mr Sabba Sabba

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  9. I read the "We thank God" answer and I knew it was all over!

    They have Nigerianized you o, Sabba Sabba. Hope you taught them some German words too.

    "Nigerian Christianity" deserves a separate blog post on its own. It's very different from Western Christianity. Your fears (and those of your parents) were well-founded and there are Nigerians living abroad who are scared to come back home for the same reasons. Thankfully, your own experience proves otherwise.

    And of course, you have to tell us how you got the nickname, Sabba Sabba.

    Ayo, thumbs up for this new series. I'll be back!

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  10. @Toin, lo.. I like the name 'Sabs'.. Let's re-Christen him hehe xx
    @Inthe, I don come again oh! lol.. Thanks a lot xx
    @GNG, I really liked that bit too.. It's time to step out of the boat so that we can have the experience of walking on water..
    @Debby, Thanks for stopping by dear.. He is a very witty person and I know that his posts will be very interesting..
    @Nike, me too! I am looking forward to his take on many aspects of Nigerian life..
    @Frances, you know I never made that link but you're right, we have our very own Richard here and his name is Sebastian! lol
    @Seb, thank you very much again for doing this! I bet it would be very interesting for both readers and you yourself while you reminisce and write your experiences!
    @ilola, thanks :-)
    @RB, you're very right, he needs to also teach us some German words (I wonder which is more difficult to learn - Ibo or German).. We hope to find out! Thanks a lot dear xx

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  11. Hahaha ok I definitely like Sabs story! I even like the shortened version.
    Looking forward to more, great inspiring story to soothe my tired self.

    Thanks Ayo xx God bless you for always bringing us the best xxx

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  12. LOL.. I think the popular vote goes with Sabs - We will need to ask Sebastian in order to proceed! lol
    Thanks dear for stopping by, I appreciate your comment and your consistent encouragement.. God bless you loads xx

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  13. God bless you prince Saba Saba. I really enjoyed reading your story. I cant wait to read more "gist" next Wednesday. I am sure you know by now that Nigerian ladies enjoy a meal of some very hot "gist", lol. Ka omesia (good bye)

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  14. @Abi, Lol.. We sure do like a nice meal of hot gist haha.. Thanks for that - I am even picking up some more Ibo myself.. Ka omesia dear :-) xx

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