Erdman Urges Students to Seize Life Ahead of Them

During her trip to the Winthrop campus, Sarah Erdman visited several writing, psychology and freshmen classes. Here, she speaks to Kathy Lyon’s psychology honors class as chemistry major Carol Perkins of Florence, S.C., listens. For an update on what is happening in Nambonkaha, listen to Erdman’s speech from her Aug. 26 presentation.

Sarah Erdman’s assignment to work in an Ivory Coast village for the Peace Corps changed the trajectory of her life. Her book, “Nine Hills to Nambonkaha,” outlines the two years she spent working there on family health issues.

Winthrop freshmen read the book this summer in preparation for a class about adjusting to college life. Erdman saw similarities in her experience and the students’ Winthrop experience.

“In a sense Winthrop is your new village. In four years, you will be changed. Friends in this room will be friends for life,” Erdman told students during an Aug. 26 presentation at Byrnes Auditorium.

For now, she told students that they are feeling out the culture and figuring how to make the most of opportunities. She advised them to get to know new places by staying open-minded and reserving judgment. She urged the students to respect their new community and to be good to people around them; to expand their comfort level by trying new things; and to learn to laugh at themselves.

Upon returning to the United States from Africa, Erdman found that life was much more complicated. She learned to value simplicity and friendships more.

“I stood on the cusp of opportunity and possibility,” she said about her trip to Africa. “That is where you stand also. This is precious.”