I’m deaf with limited eyesight, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying my first week at Ashesi. During the first few days, I attended a series of orientation sessions where I immediately felt welcome and supported. When the accessibility team learned about my disability, they used finger spelling and signed slowly, allowing me to follow at a comfortable pace. That experience left a lasting impression on me.

As orientation continued, I began to wonder what interacting with other students would be like once the structured activities ended. To my surprise, everyone who learned about my disability was polite and welcoming. With my roommates, we soon discovered that texting was the easiest way for us to communicate.

During my very first lecture, we were asked to find someone with similar interests and have a conversation with them. I was able to participate without difficulty. My classmates’ willingness to engage with me made a big difference.

Looking back, I realized that I had been carrying assumptions about how difficult it might be to connect with people. I have since learned not to presume that others would be uninterested in being my friends or that communicating with them would always be difficult.

I’m impressed by Ashesi’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion. It is evident in the way I am encouraged to participate, contribute, and engage with the community. This experience is teaching me to grow as a leader while learning to listen to others. Gradually, I am building my confidence, finding my voice, and becoming more comfortable participating in the Ashesi community.