What is "Ife"?

Ife is the nickname I got in college. I was studying Yoruba, a Nigerian language, and my given classname was Ifedayo, meaning "love has turned to joy".

Now, the name has become something bigger . It is a reminder of what gives me passion, what moves me forward. Finding the African Languages and Literature program at UW-Madison changed the course of my life. It was a world of discovery and inspiration. I learned to use language as a window into a culture, and now that window is wide open. I'm pursuing a life in Africa and it's all because of the amazing professors who brought their joy  from a continent away, igniting a spark that will forever burn. 

I have learned two African languages, studied cultures and literature, traveled to Kenya and now, I am about to embark on a journey to Uganda. This "Ife" is just getting started.