Expect the Uncommon: Study Abroad in Africa
Juniata students planning on studying abroad now have a new opportunity as they decide where to study around the world. Professor Emil Nagengast, with the help of Jarmilla Polte, has organized a study abroad program to Senegal and The Gambia in Africa. The program started as a summer study worth 3 credits and now will also be available in the spring and fall semesters. Jenna Eagle, a student who traveled to Africa in the summer of 2006 with Juniata's new program, tells us of her experience.
Question
What inspired you to go on this trip?
Answer
I went to the study abroad fair, and saw Africa there. I was interested in joining the Peace Corps after Juniata, and I thought that I would start my traveling now.
Q
What sort of preparation was involved?
A
Throughout the spring semester, we met with Dr. Nagengast once a week and studied the history, culture and demographics of The Gambia. There were people who had gone the year before to give us advice on what to bring and what to expect. We were told not too assume anything as we learned the country, because we would be surprised no matter what.
Q
What did you pack?
A
Each person was allowed two duffle bags. The first was filled with their personal items, and the second was filled with donated items. We distributed the contents of the second bag to different schools and villages.
Q
What activities were you involved in while in The Gambia?
A
The purpose of the trip was to study the politics of The Gambia. We sat in on meetings at the parliament, African Union meetings, classes at the university, and we visited the U.S. embassy and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), as well as met the director of the Peace Corps in The Gambia. We also learned how to bargain at the market, and what it is like to live without running water and electricity first hand. I don't take a lot of things for granted anymore.
Q
What was the hardest part about the trip?
A
The hardest part was getting used to the difference of luxuries and privileges we have here in the US; not having running water, no warm water if you do, no electricity, and so on. Their slogan is "The Gambia: No Problem", and that means there is no time limit or constraint for anything. Things just happen, and it makes planning difficult...people there aren't used to being a on a time schedule. For example, lunch could be anywhere from 11-4, and dinner from 4-midnight.
Q
Out of the entire experience, what is one thing you would choose to tell people about?
A
That I learned so much about myself. I went with a group of Juniatians that I didn't know, and we were all taken completely out of our element. We really had to set our differences aside to get along. This happened most when we visited villages, and participated in activities like ceremonial dances, baptisms, and baby naming ceremonies.
Adam J. Stanley '08, Student Reporter