This is the taste; it dictates how to eat the food!

This piece was written by Le Flambeau Foundation Scholar Danice who recently completed his first semester of college in the U.S. (arrived August 2013) and is preparing to launch his second semester.  Danice is majoring in Agronomy.  Congratulations!

This is the taste; it dictates how to eat the food!
One step forward; I am stronger than ever*:) Heureux!

Hello Le Flambeau Family,

It’s incredible that I already completed my first semester at college. For a college student, I just realized that days run faster than a humming-bird. College student’s life is made of multiple adventures, and every day on one is bound to witness new ones. I am thankful for all what I have lived so far. Since I just received final exams’ results, I can’t help not sharing anything about it.

Was I excited to come to college in the United States?   Sure, I somewhat was as it might be. But the best answer is “college is not a spectacular place, one must better be strong enough to balance the level of happiness and soberness from this excitement.” This statement will never be easily digested by many international high school students whit desire to come to study in the United States, but I have got a hint.

Couple first weeks of college, I really could not establish the differences between opening of a college or an international concert on campus. All freshmen were shining, and I could barely see someone who was focused on studying or doing homework. It was evident that after midterm exam, I was going to get some of the outcomes. Guess what? I was so surprised to learn that my B- grade on my paper of GSTR 110 made of me the sixth among fifteen American students in the class. Later on, it was not strange to learn that many of my fellow international freshmen were D students who were advised to go back to an ESL class. Happiness was transformed into penitence for many of them. Then, I began to realize that my chastened mindset about entering college had a significant meaning; it helped me to equate leisure time, working expansion and study agenda.

It seems to me that students’ lives are made of adventures; every day they are bound to witness new ones. Fortunately, the most courageous ones will never succumb under the negative ones and find an inspiration from them. As a consequence, I got stuck digesting the hard labor frameworks that students are impelled to fulfill here. First week of work, I became really fearful of heading out to work, for I was really disappointed with my job. Couple weeks later, I even decided to send out a resignation letter to my labor supervisor…but I really saw a weakness in this rather than a strength. I have been so proud of myself and this self-confidence always inspires me to always have my name signed in black ink, not a red one. I do believe that the nature has a power of fulfilling the inquires of a candid man. Couple weeks from my resigning to ask for a withdrawal, it was incredible that I was going to receive an email from my boss stating that I was dropped from the striking job in the open-air and rainy farm to an indoor one. Unhappily, it already impacted my academic performances when I finally found a job that allowed me to balance working and studying. In spite of all, I finished my first term of college with A’s, B and a C+ as grades.

Only a taste can let you know how to eat the food. I make the Dean List. However, the results of my first term at college mean a lot to me; they make me become really conscious of what I am able to achieve. My GPA 3.46 got me upset and make me think again (…). Anyway, this is the taste; it dictates me how to eat the food. I have taken notes and have redefined a new strategies to face either the flaws of labor program or academic challenges. Yet, I feel really nervous and can’t help waiting for the holiday to resume the beginning of Spring term…

I have no worry of spending my first Christmas and New Year party away from my family, but I have been wondering how I have just survived so many adventures in only one year. 2013 may be the most critical year I have ever lived so far. It has marked my withdrawal from one program to a more humane one, my transition from one college to another, my first trip abroad, my acknowledgement of a new education system, my first real job as a student, my first Christmas away of my family, and has taught me the lesson of love, altruism, citizenship, and austerity. Today, if I become more polite than before, this wisdom is not only a result of happiness for great realizations already resumed but also a mixture of pride, martyrdom, and experiences. My life has significantly changed and it announces many inspirational outcomes. Special Honor and Respect to you, Le Flambeau Foundation family, and all  who have contributed to make this a reality.

The torch is lit, I do have to pass it on. Praised be the Lord!

Le Flambeau Foundation ’ s Scholar Danice Lefranc arrived in Miami from Haiti in August 2013, launching his four year college journey in the U.S.  He joined a family of Le Flambeau Foundation scholars who are and will make a positive difference for Haiti, impacting all members of our global community.