the Magazine, Volume 2 Issue 2 - The College of Coastal Georgia

Small World - Big DreamsBarbara Nakigudde’s dreams have taken her around the world, and she’s just beginningIt’s a small world. Barbara Nakigudde can say that notjust because she’s 5’2”. Not just because she traveled halfway around the world to come to school – from landlockedUganda to the coast of Georgia. She can say it becausetalking to a man while waiting in line has opened a newdoor for her future.The line was at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. Thewait preceded mounting the steps to the platform as oneof several speakers during commencement. The man wasA.D. “Pete” Correll.Graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s innursing, Nakigudde would present the charges to the Classof 2012. Correll was the featured commencement speaker.“We were waiting in line with the rest of the platformparty and we just started talking. The conversation endedwith a business card that might very well have changed mylife,” Nakigudde began.“When I met Barbara and heard her story, it was obviousthat she was a special young woman who had accomplishedmore than others dare to attempt,” Correll said.Barbara’s story“Growing up in Africa is like growing up anywhere else inthe world…except for the part where people are happierwith much less,” she said. “People work hard, and they feelthe same economic strain that seems to extend and engulfthe world. Parents struggle to providethe best they can for their children.In spite of the hardship, there is anoverwhelming sense of community andthat’s what always makes it feel likehome.”“My favorite times were those spentwith extended family because, nomatter what was going on, we alwaysfound humor in a situation.”Nakigudde’s mother is a nurse at ahospital in Uganda, but nursing wasn’ther daughter’s original career choice.“I was one week away from law schoolbefore I moved here and did a complete“Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not letthe pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal yoursweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the worldmay disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place.”Ugandan countryside8 College of Coastal Georgia – the Magazine