From "I" to "We": What Nigeria Taught Me | Dr. Lincoln Morris | TEDxJimeta

An American expat describes how her view of Nigeria changed after living there, moving from stereotypes of hardship to an appreciation of the country's vibrant culture, resilience and close human connections. The talk traces a shift from an individualistic "I can" mindset to the idea of "we", learning to accept uncertainty, replace judgment with curiosity and let community shape her outlook. It is presented as a TEDx talk on cultural exchange and how the places we encounter can change us. The talk is delivered by Dr. Lincoln Morris, who is listed in the description as Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at AUN, joining on September 1, 2025. The description also summarizes his background of 25 years in higher education, a period in real estate and insurance, and his return to academia. The event was organized independently under the TEDx format.

• An American expat's experience of Nigerian culture
• Moving from an "I can" mindset to the power of "we"
• Embracing uncertainty and replacing judgment with curiosity
• Speaker background: Dr. Lincoln Morris, AUN

Shattering preconceived stereotypes of hardship, an American expat discovers a vibrant Nigerian culture rooted in profound resilience and deep human connection. Transitioning from an individualistic mindset of "I can" to the power of "we," she learns to embrace uncertainty, replace judgment with curiosity, and allow the community to reshape her worldview. A heartfelt talk on cultural exchange, showing how the places we encounter can transform who we become. Shattering preconceived stereotypes of hardship, an American expat discovers a vibrant Nigerian culture rooted in profound resilience and deep human connection. Transitioning from an individualistic mindset of "I can" to the power of "we," she learns to embrace uncertainty, replace judgment with curiosity, and allow community to reshape her worldview. A heartfelt talk on cultural exchange, showing how the places we encounter can transform who we become. Dr. Lincoln Morris serves as Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at AUN, joining the university on September 1, 2025. With 25 years of experience in higher education, specializing in Enrollment Management, Morris transitioned to real estate brokerage in Urbana, Illinois, in 2018. Following market instability after COVID-19, Morris moved into insurance sales, but ultimately found greater fulfillment in returning to academia. Throughout his career, Morris has held positions at 7 universities-both public and private-and completed several one-year consulting assignments. His decision to rejoin higher education was reinforced through discussions with President DeWayne Frazier, leading to his appointment at AUN. Morris is enthusiastic about resuming his work with students and adapting to his new professional setting. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx