From Confusion to Clarity: How Open Dreams Helped Me Find My True Path | Njapah Albright

In high school, during orientation from a certain prep class (I think MIA), someone casually mentioned Open Dreams. They said, “We work with an organization called Open Dreams which helps students get scholarships to study abroad.” That was it - just a passing statement. At the time, I didn’t think much of it. But little did I know, that single sentence would later become the spark that changed my life.

Part of the AUB 2025 Crew from Open Dreams

After high school, I found myself in the same boat as many others - uncertain, yet determined to pursue medical school. Not because I was passionate about medicine, but because I loved kids and thought medicine would be the best way to work with them. (Funny enough, the connection is not connecting) It felt like the logical path, even if my heart wasn’t fully in it.

I enrolled in preparatory classes for the medical concours, hoping clarity would come. But instead, I began to see the cracks. The deeper I got into the system, the more I realized how little I resonated with it. The idea of studying solely medicine for seven whole years started to feel suffocating. I was unsure, uncomfortable, and full of questions. What did I really want? What was I passionate about? Where was I headed?

And then, like a lightbulb flickering back on, I remembered that million-dollar statement: “We work with an organization called Open Dreams which helps students get scholarships to study abroad.” That felt like my way out - getting a scholarship.

I started asking questions to the people who ran the prep class, and I got a few directives, and found a blog post titled “How to Become a Member of Open Dreams.” I read it carefully, and without thinking twice, I sent out my first-ever email. That email led me to the Open Dreams Pre-Scholars group chat for that year, and from the messages shared, I began working on a few college applications.

My first in-person interaction with Open Dreams Scholars was in October 2022, when I went in for the SAT. That day, I also bought my first Open Dreams t-shirt - a t-shirt I still wear proudly to this day. Shortly after, Aviva Day was launched. I didn’t know much about it, but I showed up anyway, eager to experience it firsthand and help out with volunteering tasks.

After Aviva Day, we headed to the Open Dreams center for the end-of-year celebration. That entire experience left a mark on me. The entire experience was one I can never forget, because the passion for community service I witnessed during my early days at Open Dreams amongst other members ignited my own passion for community service and volunteering.

In 2023, I volunteered like never before. I joined several organisations, took part in outreaches, campaigns, orphanage visits - you name it. Then came the Summer Academy, and I was really really happy I got selected. During the Summer Academy, I honed my public speaking and leadership skills. Serving as class representative taught me how to interact with people of diverse personalities and backgrounds.

After the Summer Academy, I applied for every scholarship and opportunity I could find. I received rejection after rejection, but I didn’t give up. In the midst of it all, during a casual conversation with friends at the Open Dreams Center in Bamenda, we came up with the idea to start a YouTube channel. Today, that channel (Your Evolutioon with Open Dreams - UrEVO ) has over 950 subscribers and we have had a lot of testimonials from our videos.

In 2024, despite every challenge and every reason to quit, I kept applying. It wasn’t easy, but volunteering became my therapy. I felt joy every time I engaged in a community service activity. And interestingly, the more I volunteered, the more I discovered the types of activities I truly loved. That clarity helped me identify the career path I wanted to pursue.

Throughout the 2024 application season (which spans right up to April 2025) I kept pushing. I got an interview - then a rejection. But shortly after, I applied to AUB, got interviewed, and finally, I GOT ACCEPTED!

It may sound strange, but I’m grateful to God that this opportunity came now. If I had received it earlier, I wouldn’t have had the clarity I do today. I wouldn’t have known myself the way I do now. And even though I keep growing and I keep learning new things about myself every day, I'm proud of how much growth I've experienced throughout this waiting season.

I’m deeply grateful to Open Dreams - not just for helping me apply for scholarships, but for igniting my passion for community service and helping me open my eyes to my dreams.

I'm grateful to my parents and siblings for the support they gave me throughout this journey. The late nights, the constant hotspoting from my mum's data, the “you can go if it's Open Dreams”, and everything else!!! 

There’s so much more to this story - the tears, the network struggles, the rejection (or should I say redirection) trauma. But above all, I’m grateful. Grateful to God for entrusting me with this opportunity. Grateful for every person who walked this journey with me.

Looking back, I realize that every twist and turn in my journey was necessary. The confusion, the rejections, the long nights of doubt - they all led me to a place of clarity and purpose. 

Through volunteering, I found joy. Through rejection, I found resilience. And through community, I found direction.

Today, as I prepare to begin a new chapter at the American University of Beirut, AUB, I carry with me not just the excitement of opportunity but the deep gratitude for every moment that shaped me. 

The dream is just beginning - and I’m ready to live it.

• Njapah Albright | Open Dreams