Rachael Matthew, a Nigerian exchange student, has been living in Clear Lake, Iowa, since August, 2013, as a participant of the Iowa Resource for International Service Youth Exchange and Study Program. When news came that a terrorist organization had kidnapped more than 200 Nigerian girls from their boarding school dormitory, it was a shock to Matthew: "I was worried when I heard about it...I have a lot of friends there. It happened in a park where people wait for taxis...Although there have been terrorist activities in the past, they have usually involved bombings of churches and parks, places where people congregate," she said. "I was surprised by this latest tactic."

With regard to Boko Haram, the radical Islamist organization that is responsible for the nighttime kidnapping of the students from an all-girls boarding school in Chibok, Matthew remarks that "(Education) is an abomination to them, especially for girls...They believe girls should be in their husband's house, have children and work in the house." Matthew's family lives in Lagos, a port city of 22 million in southwestern Nigeria.

Upon returning from the United States, Matthew will attend a private all-girls Roman Catholic school near the Nigerian capital city of Abuja. The school is known to be smaller and safer than the large government school from which the other female students were abducted. "My family and I believe everyone needs education, even college and beyond, even girls, even if they get married and use their husband's name," she said. 

Matthew said she appreciates the concern other nations, including the United States, have shown for the girls in Nigeria. "At least people are aware of my country and asking how they can help," she said.

During her exchange year, Matthew has embraced many new experiences, including growing her hair longer, which is not allowed at her home school, and not wearing school uniforms. She has also enjoyed participating in sports such as volleyball and soccer and managing the girls basketball team. Matthew also reveled in seeing snow for the first time during her stay in Iowa. 

"People here treat each other well," she said. "It doesn't matter if you have a big house or a small house. People care about others. They do community service. They provide food for the poor. Kids are trying to help, too. I think that is a reason for the prosperity here," says Matthew.

When she returns home, she looks forward to sharing ideas she has learned here with people in her country. However, it has been a two-way exchange. "We just want people to know about our countries, too," she said, smiling. "Everybody knows about America," says Matthew.

In the future, she aspires to go to medical school and become a pediatrician, so she can positively affect young children suffering from malnutrition in Nigeria. 

Original story published in Globegazette.com and written by Kristin Buehner