Thursdays with Laurie

I decided to interview Laurie Kenyon about her experience so far in Namibia. Hopefully this will be a recurring feature for my blog because each student has a different perspective and interpretation of every experience.

So here we go!

Christiana: Tell me a little about yourself and why you chose to come to Namibia.
Laurie: I’m a junior from Valpo from Kalamazoo, MI. I’m a Chemistry & International Service double major – I know it doesn’t make sense but that’s what i’m doing. My region of focus in International Service is Africa. I decided to come on the program for a lot of reasons. I knew it would be fun to go to Africa. I also knew that the program would have an impact on my life in a way that I have been searching for. I have an interest in the NGO, non-profit, social justice realm. It stems from my love for service and my involvment in SALT at Valpo. Its a combination of all of my passions put into one program.

Christiana: What has been your favorite thing so far?
Laurie: Normally my answer is the people. I mean that in many ways. Mostly the Namibians I’ve met – at my internship, people we meet when we go out, speakers that come to talk to us in class, just random people I run into. I love being stretched to reach into a different culture. Namibians are all really friendly. I enjoy explaining to people why we are here and discussing what global development means. I also always mention the people that I am living with because I love them too. Every way you can think of to use the word people is what I mean.

Christiana: What were you scared of or apprehensive about before coming to Africa?
Laurie: As silly as this sounds, I would have to say packing. I was afraid of overpacking and forgetting stuff. I spent the summer living out of a suitcase, so I packed from one suitcase to another and it was probably more difficult for me than most others. I also was concerned about what would be happening on campus, with my family, being gone from campus, and just the general nervousness about being gone for four months. Logistics, travel stuff. All that.

Christiana: What has suprised you most about Africa/your experience so far?
Laurie: How normal everything feels. I expected a lot more culture shock initially. I mean, it is definitely there, but it feels more natural. I do a lot of the same things I would do at Valpo – go to class, watch tv, do homework, watch movies, go to the mall. As different as it is, it is all kind of the same. It reminds me that no matter where I am the thread of humanity is the same, it is just played out in different ways.

Christiana: What have you learned about yourself?
Laurie: Oh gosh. This could be like 7 pages. I’ve learned a lot of things. First of all, practically, this program has made me question what I thought I wanted to do with my life career-wise. I’m getting different ideas and its opening up new thoughts for me about my career path. It is making me think about my own life in the States in a different way too. I always thought I spent a lot of time thinking about the privileges I have, but now I realize I didn’t really get it all. My house in Katatura during the urban homestay had four people in a space that was less than 1/4 of my house in the States. They were living comfortably in the space. They were happy to have a home, whereas my family back in the US would have complained that we’d all have to share a single bathroom.

Christiana: What would you say to someone interested in the program?
Laurie: YOU SHOULD DO IT! But I think that it is a different program than your stereotypical abroad experience. If that’s your thing, do it. There will be things that you’ll need to prepare yourself for. There is a different dynamic on this program. You have to come in with expectations, but you also know that they’re probably not right. That is something I’ve been discovering lately. But, really, if you’re considering it, check it out.

Laurie’s quick-facts:

Favorite Namibian food: spatzle, porridge, lentils. fat cakes
Favorite Place You’ve Visited: Swakopmund – The city was so cute and German and the ocean was AMAZING!
Favorite Language to Listen to in Namibia: Oshiwambo – I actually understand some of the words because of our Oshiwambo lessons!
Favorite Thing About Windhoek: Going out and having fun while venturing around the city
Favorite Thing About Our House: The pool! And the mongoose that lives in the backyard!