"I was fortunate enough to be selected for a 6-month internship at the UN Francophonie Office. Thanks to the Campbell Fellowship, for which I am so grateful, I discovered the Big Apple and worked in New York! Can you beat that? The transnational issues, which have been the core of my research since my master’s, have always fascinated me. My dream came true to immerse myself and engage in my research on the Francophonie in such a vibrant city. I needed a field trip, and the United Nations opened doors for it. In addition to collecting data, I met (drumroll here) with Dany Laferrière, renowned novelist and Académicien. I met several other high-profile figures from politics, academia, and activism, which betters me as an individual, researcher, teacher, and leader. Unquestionably, the icing on the cake was that I met with Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General and participated in the Transforming Education Summit and many others. I genuinely appreciate the University of Missouri and my department’s efforts and commitment to my success."

                                                                                                                                                Vanessa Awa.