Name: PHOEBE MAINA
Nationality: Kenya
University: Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics

4th October 2016. Sitting on the runway about to take off, when my Daddy turns to me and says, "Kiddy, it's now or never. Just say the word and well get off the plane, go home and never talk about this again. No one will judge you, I promise."

Smiling, with a belly full of fear and a heart full of passion, I look back at him, hold his hand and respond, "No Daddy, I'm READY. Let's do this!"
Daddy nods at me, leans in and says words that I'll remember for the rest of my life, "Well then Kiddy, let's do this. Your life will never be the same."

The plane finally takes-off.

Daddy knew. He knew.

Fast forward, 14th August, 2023 and my life is barely recognisable. How so? How did I get here? What happened in between?

The past seven years have been a grand roller coaster in my life. I've experienced moments where I laughed till my ribs hurt, sat till my bum went numb and spoke till I lost my voice. On these days, I wished I could freeeeeeeze time. I tucked these moments into a specific corner in my heart titled, when my heart laughed, where I visit occasionally.

There's also been days where I cried my eyes out till my throat forgot how to work, where only tears flooded my pillow but no voice would come out. A silent cry. Days where I camped at rock-bottom waiting for someone to COME FOR ME! HELP ME! SAVE ME! and no one did. Days where I felt my heart break into a million little pieces and I forgot how to breathe, live and exist. I also tucked these moments in a corner in my heart, titled, when I forgot to live.

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Both days, when my heart laughed and when I forgot to live, have made me the exceptional woman I am today and I wouldn't trade a single experience. Thank you China.

In this essay, I'll take you on a ride of my 7-year Transformational Journey, from 18-year old Phoebe sitting on a plane with her Daddy, to pursuing my dreams as a self-love speaker, coach and creative, all while maintaining high grades as an Aerospace student. Beauty & Brains can truly co-exist.

An Adventurous Start:

Moving to China at 18 was a leap into the unknown. It was a decision that would forever alter the trajectory of my life. I vividly remember walking into the linear algebra class that chilly Tuesday morning ... when I run into a Rwandese girl who smilingly introduces herself as Patience, and then asks if I would love to sit with her (and her friends) at the front row. "What? I don't ... I mean ... I would ... OKAY. I guess it's OK," I said stuttering. Best decision ever.

Because you see, I didn't just get algebra deskmates but also my most incredible friends and singing buddies. Together we formed a band, and first stunned our teachers and the entire audience when we performed Hallelujah at the 5th NUAA Got Talent. Yes! Not just 3 beautiful girls, but 3 beautiful brilliant aeronautical students. Yessss!

Throughout the years, Patience, Nadjma & I (the girl band) performed at countless school events, receiving numerous honorary awards, social scholarships and even having the honour to star in the I love China project with the infamous song Wo ai ni Zhongguo.

What a ride. What a journey. What a life.

Yet that was just the beginning.

The best DAY OF MY LIFE:

When the vice dean called out my name, I remember leaving my body at the seat, yet somehow walking to the stage … an out of body experience. What? I roughly remember posing for the photo with the NUAA President … but somehow … the minute I walked off that stage … it all hit me like a ton of bricks. PHOEBE ANN WANJIRU MAINA - Aeronautical Engineering.
What???? I GRADUATED!!!! I remember screaming at the top of my lungs, dancing and crying and laughing and feeling and being and doing and GRADUATING!!! Yessss! I graduated. In the middle of a pandemic, I graduated. My Mum and Dad weren't physically there but they saw me on zoom. They saw their baby girl graduate, because I GRADUATED. I did!!!!!!
And that day was THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE.

A Government Scholarship:

26th of June at 4:30pm (two days after the best day of my life - my graduation) … a day worth remembering for the rest of my long ... very long life. From what I was wearing, where I sat in my little apartment, the residual coffee taste in my mouth … to the little sound my laptop makes when I receive an email.

"Dear Phoebe Maina,
We are pleased to inform you that you've been granted a Fully Funded Chinese Government Scholarship to pursue a Masters in Control Systems - Aeronautical Engineering.
Your's Faithfully,
Chinese Government Scholarship Council."

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

What????? Shut the front door! And the back door too! You mean I get to pursue a Masters Degree for free? I get to become a Masters Engineer … a female Masters Engineer?

Truly, dreams are valid and they do come true, especially when we least expect them to.

A Journey Beyond Academics:

Beyond the academic realm, I engaged in experiences that felt out of this world which deeply enriched my entire being. Participating in prestigious pageants, such as Miss Imperial International in 2018 and Miss Universe China in 2019, gave me a once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate diversity, meet and form forever friendships with women from all walks of life. This was truly special & magical.
In addition, being a part of the opening ceremony of the Black Panther premiere in 2018 instilled within me a sense of empowerment, striving for positive representation, a perfect merge of culture, bravery and inclusivity. Wakanda Forever.

A Manifestation of Self-Love & Self-Acceptance:

In the pursuit of finding my true self, I founded the modeling brand, Curvy Black & Gorgeous.
Curvy Black & Gorgeous became a huge milestone, allowing me to embrace all of my unique qualities and to inspire others to do the same. In other words, to say"hey there you beautiful human
I see you.
All of who you are.
Everything about you … the good, the bad, the ugly …
All that, makes you uniquely you.
Embrace that! Love that!"
By promoting self-love and self-acceptance, I discovered my true purpose that ignited a desire to guide others on their personal journeys towards self-love.

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

My own personal development journey has paved the way for a new chapter in my life, self-love coaching. Empowering individuals, mostly women in their twenties, to embrace their worth, overcome insecurities and cultivate deep authentic self-love, has become my calling. This chapter of my life has not only allowed me to transform lives but also served as a continuous reminder of my own growth and evolution, my own self-love journey.

Conclusion:
China has been more than just the place I've called home for seven years; it has been the catalyst for insurmountable personal and academic growth. From navigating my first heartbreak and heartache to experiencing countless "firsts," each moment has shaped me into the person I am today, and I truly deeply like, love & admire the person I am. These seven years have not only brought forth incredible opportunities but have been a testament to my resilience & unwavering commitment to my personal evolution (in other words, a lot of growth pains).

As I look back on my transformational journey in China, I am grateful for all the experiences (when mybheart laughed & when I forgot to live) that have pushed me beyond my limits, fueled my personal evolution and encouraged me to embrace all facets of my identity, All Of Me. China will forever hold a very special place in my heart. THANK YOU CHINA.