Teaching went well on Friday and Saturday. The biggest challenge is the language barrier- Rwanda made the switch from French to English as their official language only in 2009. I spend a lot of time repeating myself. But the students couldn't be more engaging and eager- a real treat to teach. Another challenge was the laboratory I had prepared was meant to be conducted on computers with internet. Alas, the internet was out (it had been so good all week!!). So I put something together new over lunch right before lab. I think it worked out ok given the circumstances.
Okan and I are still working to settle into our house. The landlord has turned out to be lame so we are probably going to move in February sometime. I won't bother explaining why he is lame, but he's what you might refer to as a scrooge. So we are looking at other places to rent that also might be less expensive. It's not that we're paying so much (it's Africa after all), but by most standards, we're paying too much for what we're getting (Sorry Joy, Margaret and Paul! Hope the new digs will be big too!).
Moving, no matter if it is in New York or Rwanda, is generally a pain (but not as much of a pain as it must be riding this bicycle). Rwanda has its' own set of challenges. For example, it appears that no one sells sunscreen in all of Butare. And Okan looked for some when he went to Kigali (2hrs away) and couldn't find any there either (though we're told it does exist). So I'm walking around with a bit of a sunburn at the moment. Our electricity has also been out for the last 24 hours and getting the scrooge owners to help isn't easy. But all of these things are typical normal hurdles one expects when living abroad. I'm trying to take these challenges in stride. I like to think of myself as a rubber band that hasn't gotten stretched in a long time (maybe since Mexico?) so I've gotten a bit tough and lost some flexibility. And that living in Rwanda is a good experience to help me stretch my horizons and outlook on life. I am working on becoming more flexible.
On a lighter note, here's an amusing billboard that is posted just outside of campus. I can't read the kinyarwandan, but I think the Sugar Daddy part and picture make the message clear!
Your experience teaching at NUR sounds a lot like my experience teaching in the South Bronx! As you have already figured out, flexibility is the key. You will surmount obstacles (like no Internet), your students will learn and benefit enormously from having you as their professor.
ReplyDeleteDavid and I are really enjoying your blog and keeping up with your professional and personal adventures in Rwanda. Good luck with the new house hunt, finding sunscreen and the other big and small things that you will confront with a smile.