An experience worth sharing

Attending the World Business Dialogue was supposed to be a happy moment. However, it turned out to redefine my perception. The World Business Dialogue is the world's largest students-run convention held annually in Cologne.

I began writing proposals to seek funding from private companies and individuals. I have always been a night student, staying up late in the night to read was a norm for me. I began looking out for travel grants and funding opportunities on the internet alongside reading fro tests and exams. I practically became so broke that I had to borrow from friends to dispatch letters through the university postal service; being the cheapest although delivery is not guaranteed.

Failure is not new to me, so I wasn't so much disappointed when the school authority disapproved my request for sponsorship. My next disappointment came when Air France and British Airways declined to sponsoring my trip. Ordinarily, I was supposed to be dejected or put a halt to my quest. Despite having to skip classes, I kept pursuing to the very detail. At long last, after almost three months of search, I finally had a head way with Lufthansa German Airlines. I wrote a very nice proposal to the Marketing Manager, West Africa and followed it up with phone calls and emails. Eventually, the airline agreed to grant economic ticket.

In March 2013, I finally traveled free of charge to my age-long dreamland, Germany. Two days into the conference I lost my passport. I became confused and demoralized especially after reporting to the Police and I was told I couldn't travel except I get a travel certificate from the embassy. This was a student who traveled free of charge with no extra allowance. I decided to do a mini fundraising at the conference. I told my story to all the delegates and what I wanted from them. At the end of the speech, I realized enough money to travel 12 hours to and from Berlin and to purchase the certificate. I made up my mind to enjoy Berlin. This was going to be my first time in Berlin and I will also pass through major German cities. More so, I have developed travelling as a hobby and I enjoy doing it. I love to see new places and meeting people from all walks of life. Being a first timer, I checked the internet for places of interest that I could visit. After about six hours on the street of Berlin, I had already had enough for the day and decided to travel back to Cologne.

I got the certificate and headed back to my country