We have been in Africa for a while, but we’re just starting to buckle down and start the semester. It is a strange feeling going from what was basically a vacation to having to do real work.

As part of the CGE Program, you can pick between 4 classes (Political Science, History, Religion, and Development), an internship, and an independent study. I am taking Poly Sci, History, Religion, and doing an internship. I started my internship at Oponganda Center for Children with Disabilities on Monday and so far so good!

Now we have also started classes. And with classes comes homework. However, I have discovered that homework is a lot more bearable when you can do it poolside.

The delayed start of classes illustrates the general feeling here well. The day-to-day pace of Namibia is much slower than in America. 5:00 means 5:15…or 8:00. It really just depends on how a person is feeling that day. At first I was really anxious about the time of things, but over the last couple of weeks I have learned to be more relaxed about it. I won’t say that I enjoy it, because it still seems to me like I am late, but I am getting used to the slower pace and actually starting to enjoy it. It is much more relaxing than in America where we are go, go, go all the time. Without strict time constraints I have met and talked with many people I wouldn’t have been able to talk with had I been speeding through my life. And here, spending time together in conversation is one of the best ways to show someone you care about them. I hope that is a lesson that I will be able to bring home with me.