My experience in the United States as a visually Impaired under the MWF Alumni Enrichment institute AEI.

My experience in the United States as a visually Impaired under the MWF Alumni Enrichment institute AEI.

My experience in the United States as a visually Impaired under the MWF Alumni Enrichment institute AEI. 

I wish to begin my story by thanking the State department, IREX, the Mandela Washington team and all those involved for creating the AEI program which gave me the opportunity to have such an interesting and educative experience. Not forgetting all the universities staff for making our enrichment a success. We are indeed grateful for such an experience.

My stay in Washington DC

After a long flight approximately 26 hours of several transits. I landed in Chicago and then finally in Washington DC. At the airport we were well received and welcome with smiles by the team from IREX. Jacque and the team took us to the buses waiting to take us to the very beautiful and comfortable Marriott suit hotel.  I arrived very nervous as it was my first time visiting, but all these disappeared when I was first handed to a very kind, friendly and patient person as My human guide. She later on introduced herself as Sheron. She patiently took me to the front desk to be registered with a lot of smiles and later to my room. I later on found out that she was indeed an academic Dr and associate professor at the school of business at Jackson state University JSU. Oh! This woman is so down to earth. Dr. Sharon I will never forget the hospitality and welcome you gave me that made me feel at home. inclusion and accessibility were just words I was used to hear until I Got to DC where I got to know and experience it under the supervision of IREX. Even the rooms in the hotel have braille writings on the doors indicating the room number which gives access to blind and visually impaired persons to read them independently. The Elevators also has a speech system that reads each floor it reaches. much thanks to IREX for making the whole of my stay very inclusive and accessible ranging from providing with me with accessible materials including laptop, smartphone loaded with assertive programs installed and more than enough human guides who were more than the word willing to take me anywhere. These human guides consisted of IREX staff themselves regardless of their busy schedules were read and willing to go with me on all our trips in DC. Thanks to Anna, Aicha, Onyi, Jacquie and all those that took their time to go round with me making sure that everything gets accessible to me. Gratitude to the rest of the IREX team in making sure that there is always someone to attend to me. I visited several places including museums and the famous Howard University. The bus trips can’t never be forgotten where we visited several places and learnt a lot including the Atlantic slave trade and the history of African America. I also got the opportunity to visit Maryland through My very good friend and ma’am Dr. Sharon Simmons and his wonderful and kind Husband Mr. Simmons who took me to their family friend who in turn welcomed me and together went for dinner. Thank You so very much Dr. Simmons for being such a good person.

I spent a week in Washington DC then Moved to Jackson state in Mississippi which will come in my second episode.

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