By James Alic Garang
"Come in, Dr. Garang," Professor Boyce, one of my committee members told me when I was standing outside the economics department conference room waiting for my dissertation defense result. As soon as I came in, I exchanged pleasantries with other members. Professor Heintz shook my hand. Professor Ndikumana said, "Welcome to the club of Ph.D.s."
I successfully defended my dissertation on March 12, 2014 at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. That news, widely shared through various South Sudanese forums, brought congratulatory messages. Compliments streamed in online, by phone, and on Facebook. Many who have known me from primary and secondary school days in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya through the University of Utah said this day was inevitably coming.
Nonetheless, when reflecting on how this personal achievement came about, I realized that many people around the world were involved in helping out. "It takes a village to raise a child," said Hillary Clinton, paraphrasing an African proverb. I have realized that it takes a world to educate a student.
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