Having now been back from Tanzania for three months I wanted to write one final blog as an ending of this experience that started last September. Going to Tanzania has taught me so much, about the country, language, people, culture, how organisations run and about myself. I achieved things I didn't know I could, stepped out my comfort zone on a frequent basis, survived it all and have become a much stronger and more determined person in the process. As cliched as it sounds it is an experience that will stay with me and that I will remember forever.

Tanzania is a beautiful country and I can fully understand why so many tourists visit every year. What really makes the country though is the people living there. I met many, many people over my five months who made my experience what it was. In Monduli there was Neru who could solve every issue, was always friendly and who I'm fairly sure is capable of getting hold of whatever it is you might ever need, as well as being one of the safest boda drivers I've met in East Africa. Furaha and Isaac in the shop, who helped me learn Swahili and gave me several lifts at ridiculous times in the morning to get to town on time. Maiko, the security guard who helped me learn Maasai, was very interested in learning about Scotland, always knew when there was going to be shooting stars and had plenty of stories about his baby daughter Rachel. The Mama I would buy fruit and vegetables from in the market who showed that you don't need to have a language in common to be able to laugh and communicate with someone else, and it is often the trying and not always the success that actually matters. The doctor who managed to diagnose and cure tropical illnesses I have had since going to Uganda in 2011. The family who I stayed with in my last week in Tanzania and who were so welcoming, supportive and encouraging. At school Mzee who found me a 'rain stick' so I wouldn't fall over ever time it rained and always knew what was going on. The school Mamas who not only helped me learn how to spot which beans are edible but had an amazing sense of humour and laughed every time I said 'Ashe'. The other volunteers particularly Emilie, Kelli, Meghan, Brian, Angela and Daisy who were a fantastic support network when you were having a bad day, put up with Christmas music all year round, participated in card tournaments and became friends as well as colleagues. And of course the students themselves of whom there are too many who stood out to mention in person but provided me with pieces of paper with words in Masai and Swahili to learn, played in lots of sporting events, led and taught younger students, were polite, enthusiastic and determined. I will never forget my Form One Extension class during word games and creative writing lessons, Pre Form playing Simon Says, Orkeeswa's rugby team wining games at sports weekend with serious style, going to listen to a talk by Jane Goodall, making ravioli during election weekend, or hunting for secret santa presents round the market.

My five months was a bit of a rollercoaster journey, which taught me so much and had plenty of highs and lows along the way. For anyone who reading this helped make it possible, were supportive or have kept in touch thank you very much, I really do appreciate it!

Back in Scotland these past three months life has not stopped altogether. Following arriving back, getting the flu, chest infections and at last recovering completely health wise I have had plenty of opportunities to get involved in a variety of things. Three photographs I have taken were selected for an art exhibition in London, an article I had written about working abroad with Autism was used by Ambitious About Autism for their employment campaign (https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/fern-adams) and also published in a booklet of employment and ASD stories (https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/sites/default/files/Autism%20in

%20the%20Workplace%20brochure%20for%20web.pdf). Kelli, another volunteer in Tanzania came to visit me for two weeks and to explore Scotland on her way back to Florida, which was a perfect opportunity to be a tourist and visit Glencoe, Mull, Bridge of Orchy, and several castles. I also got to travel down to Bristol for a weekend and visit Coll for 10 days, where my Mum has been working, which was also a bit of a trip down memory lane as I went back to Project Trust where all my overseas experiences started!

Moving forward I have been awarded a fellowship for being selected as a graduate who has high potential of becoming a leader in international affairs to study Development from September. From this I hope to study for a PhD and go on to work back in Africa for the UNHCR or an international non-government organisation. In the meantime I have plans to gain some work experience in London over the summer, write some articles for the charity Great With Disability and meet up with some friends who also volunteered in Tanzania.

While my experience and time in Tanzania has come to an end, I really do feel that my time working abroad and living in Africa has not.