“So, if you’re from Africa, why are you white?” If I had a dollar for every time that I was told this quote when I mention that I lived in Africa, I would not have student loan debt. Africa gets a bad reputation because of the amount of poverty there, but it was the most amazing experience of my life and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Here’s a little background to why I was there: My dad is currently a United Methodist pastor and has been as long as I’ve been alive. When I was eight years old, my parents got a call asking us to move to Cameroon to be missionaries through the Methodist church. We lived there for a little over three and a half years, coming back in the middle of my sixth grade year.

The thing that bugs me the most when people ask about Africa when they find out I lived there are the crazy stereotypes that people come up with. Since I get the same weird and awkward questions, I'm just going to answer them all right now.

Did you live in a village?

Surprisingly enough, there are actual cities in Africa! Wow, what an idea. This is probably the most common question I get and I laugh every time. I lived in a city, tall buildings and taxis included!

Did you live in a hut?

Along with the village question, I also get asked if I lived in a hut. Nope, definitely not. My five-person family could not handle that...

Did you live in the desert?

The guy screaming in this gif is basically how I feel when I'm asked this question. Yes, the Sahara is large and getting larger, but I lived in the rain forest part of Africa.

Did you ever meet a lion?

Okay, this one I can kind of understand. Unfortunately, I can not say that I've taken a ride on the back of a lion.

Did you live with lions and giraffes?

This goes with the last question, but I really was asked this today. Ugh, if only the lions were as cute as this one...

Did you eat all of the gross food?

Here's what I'm going to say about this: If you are a very picky eater, I do not suggest moving to a foreign country. I personally LOVED all of the exotic foods, but my little sister basically made this face every time she tried something.

Were you and your family the only white people?

I get this question a lot as well. We were not the only white people and I actually went to school with mostly white people, but does it even matter? (Also, I know most people were hoping to see this gif in my article, so here it is!)

Did you have to learn the clicking language?

This question just irks me in the wrong way but I have heard it more than once. I actually lived in a country that is bilingual, French and English. I learned some French during the time that I was there.

Did you have a pet monkey?

Ugh, I wish. That is my only regret.

Was your childhood even slightly normal?

I like to think that my childhood was more normal than if I had stayed in America. I spent most of my time outside, playing with other kids. I still grew up obsessed with "High School Musical," and nothing is more normal than that

How bad was the culture shock?

Truth be told, I had more culture shock coming back to America than I ever did when we moved to Africa. I had grown up there and I miss it every day. (Also, I have included a wonderful throwback picture to prove that even in a third world country, you still go through an awkward stage.)