It’s been almost 3 years since I returned home and I have to admit it’s been quite the roller-coaster learning experience. After living in one of the best countries in the world for nearly half my life made adjusting to a new everything extremely challenging but equally exciting.

Why new? Well, I spent 13 years of my adult life in the US, with degrees in Information Technology & Management & Public Policy & all my work experience corporate America. This exposed me to all kinds of working environments that obviously have had a strong influence in how I work.

No experience rocked my core like the Kennedy School of Government – where everyday – you are immersed in an environment of over achievers taught by mostly experts in their fields! Coming from a behind the desk job, where I mostly kept to myself being a techie, with my hands in banking, research – here I was in what felt like a lions den with incredible minds!

The Kennedy School is definitely not a spectator experience – I was forced out of my shell – taught to critically analyze and question EVERYTHING and speak up where it’d make a difference! In classes in few Harvard schools and MIT, forum talks with Heads of State, thought leaders, professors, fellow and most importantly classmates from all of the world – I was changed forever! I couldn’t sit back and keep to myself – had to speak up and out, had to pursue that which I needed to get the job done, had to be both proactive and reactive. I had acquired thousands of dollars to pay for this and by God – I was going to work my hardest to get everything out in my 2 years – I have no regrets!

Leaving that and coming home in a working environment where many people are so sensitive to being challenged, passion is a rarity, personal initiative is almost inexistent, fear to speak up etc – it was and still is challenging. I have so much energy and get very enthusiastic about Rwanda’s Vision 2020. And sadly this gets me in trouble because some are not used to type As like me – not used to being challenged – not used to debate – not used to, well, THE TRUTH! One thing is for sure – these people will never change – and I’ve chosen to put these in a bucket that will always be to the left of my mind!

However, there are those refreshing Rwandans that are positive, driven by our Vision 2020, who will stop at nothing to get things done, who think big picture. They are not out for recognition, just want to do what needs to be done for impact – the greater good – a.k.a. Egalitarians! These are people after my own heart and I’ve made the choice to pour my energy here – God will take care of the small-minded left box!

Vision 2020 needs more Egalitarians and young minds are the only ones that can be molded to think BIG! My focus should and will be here!

The learning continues….