Out of and Now Back Into Africa: Uganda Spring '10

January 23, at approximately 4:45pm, I will be landing in a lawless city teeming with violence and chaos so prevalent that few people enter by choice. An hour and 10 minutes later, I will leave the city of Detroit only to head to a city internationally known for the pervasiveness of its drug and prostitution enterprise. After escaping from Amsterdam, I will finally land in Uganda, the country deemed by Winston Churchill to be the "Pearl of Africa".

For 15 weeks I will be studying the country of Uganda with SIT's Development Studies (http://www.sit.edu/studyabroad/ssa_ugd.cfm). The academic program incorporates classroom studies of the country, its language and development studies as well as a six week practicum when we choose an organization we would like to observe and develop our own research project. The experience will also include a 6 week home-stay in the capital city of Kampala as well as a 1 week home-stay in a rural community.

Thanks to "101 Languages of the World," I've already started learning Luganda, and boy am I excited! I can now sound like I'm cussing out my friends and family just by saying "good morning" - WasuzOtyanno (phonetically spelled). My favorite so far: Tunalabaganolulala - See you later. Not understanding the local language while I was in Tamale, Ghana was one of my biggest regrets. For me, I feel that language is essential to understanding other cultures: it reveals history, superstitions, and, most importantly, humor. Also, the act of learning a language from a native speaker is one of the most genuine, intimate and worthwhile interactions I think anyone can have. It requires attention, understanding and a great deal of patience from both sides. Especially in a country where English is technically the official language (like in Ghana), attempting to learn the local language shows a degree of respect and humility that immediately breaks down barriers. Njogereramu Olunganda lutono - "I only speak a little Luganda," but I am excited to learn much more.

Initially I chose this development program because I was planning on going into humanitarian aid once I completed undergrad. However, my interests have shifted to more philosophical and anthropological questions regarding nationality and race identity, the perception of Africa both in and outside of Africa, the West's possibly misguided fixation on "development," and the experience of studying abroad in a "developing" country. Of course I could develop each of these topics into several thesis projects. It is my hope to use this blog to develop my thoughts on these and other topics as I experience them in Uganda. I hope that those reading this blog will provide feedback, suggestions, references and/or pose questions. Of course, outside of its deep, soul-searching questions, this blog will also serve to reassure my friends and loved ones that I'm still alive and am not dying from malaria...again.

So until next time:

Weeraba - "Good-bye"