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What was your impression when Monica traveled abroad for the first time?

I was really impressed with Monica's tenacity when she traveled abroad for the first time! She was completely determined to travel somewhere and she made that happen for herself. I was a bit shocked that she did not tell her family where or that she was traveling, especially given how close to her family she seemed to be, especially when growing up. Given how thoughtful and close she was to her family, I was shocked that Monica seemed to almost willfully ignore how concerned they might be for her well-being. However I was impressed with how determined she was to travel and make a life for herself in a foreign country, no matter how much effort it took.
What shocked me the most about her travels to Greenland was how she mentioned having to steal from stores to get by and laughing about it with her friends. This struck me as odd, as later in the book she talks about how bad people are who break the law or steal. This felt extremely hypocritical of her to say as she had to steal to get by and then continued to speak about people who steal in such a degrading way. Of course, breaking the law is not good, however Monica demonstrates in her narrative that individuals do not always steal just to be evil. It felt a bit narrow-minded for Swaida to be so adamantly against law-breaking when she herself had to break the law in order to survive. That is what struck me most about Monica traveling abroad for the first time.

I was amazed by her bravery and courage to travel to Poland on her own. And as a young girl, I was concerned about how dangerous it was. Her ability to handle the issues she faced showed her true grit, and foretold of the success that would follow her throughout life as she faced the obstacles to become who she is.
She showed, from an early age, how industrious she was and how headstrong she could be, both qualities that served her well as she got older and moved into different careers.

My impression of Monica traveling abroad for the first time was one of absolute awe and a little bit of breathlessness, honestly! Think about it – a 17-year-old leaving her home country, Nigeria, for Poland without telling her parents or siblings? That's incredibly bold and adventurous! My immediate thought was, "Wow, this girl is really going for it!" It spoke volumes about her determination and her thirst for exploration.

I was impressed by Monica's bravery and her sink-or-swim attitude. I felt that she was a true free-spirit. She believed in herself and did what she needed to survive. I cannot imagine being Nigerian and just getting up to take a plane to Poland, a land of snow and white people, where she knew nobody and had no money. That was bravery and self-belief at its best. Epic!

Monica's Story, penned by Andrew Morton, delves into the life of Monica Lewinsky, aiming to shed light on her experiences during the Clinton scandal. However, critics have found the narrative lacking depth. Michiko Kakutani of The New York Times described it as "tawdry and tiresome," while Katha Pollitt in The New Republic felt Morton portrayed Lewinsky merely as "an Oprah-era victim," suggesting a missed opportunity for a more nuanced portrayal.

Well I would say she is a very brave woman. She was just a teen when she travelled across the continent without letting her parents or family members aware of her decision. It's impressive that she had always known what she wanted.

I wasn't expecting her to hide her travel plans from her family, given how really close they were.

To be honest, I heard many stories like these where young teenagers felt free to leave for another country on their own and without any adult consent; this happened quite often between the 60s and 80s. I am pretty sure many people here will have that uncle, or grandma who did so back in their days. I wouldn't encourage any teenager to do so nowadays. The World has become much more dangerous and people are not so friendly towards strangers or foreigners, especially young ones.

Monica Omorodion Swaida’s initial journey abroad, as detailed in her memoir, “They Love You Until You Start Thinking for Yourself,” showcases her determination to pursue higher education and personal growth. Her decision to study at institutions like the University of Massachusetts, where she actively participated in cultural activities, reflects her commitment to embracing new opportunities and blending her rich cultural heritage with her academic pursuits.

Monica Omorodion Swaida is a brave woman and this book would be a huge inspiration to coming generations. However the utmost impression this book would leave me with is the value and importance of a family and home.

It's actually shocking, supported by the fact that she was from an African setting. I mean, where did she get this courage from? I really need it. Traveling to a new land without cash is one of the craziest things one could ever do. I need this kind of courage.