Orientation Day

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Today was our first day of real orientation to the University and Gaborone (pronounced Ha-ba-ron-eh in Setswana.) We began the day with some exercises to explain our expectations from the program and had a few Setswana lessons. We also got a tour of the University from Karabo and Tato and an welcome session from UB’s international office.

This is my first time in a foreign country at a University. I know many international students at Ohio University, but now I’m getting to experience what it’s like to be an international student myself. Along with that, I'm also getting the experience of being noticeably foreign--or "exotic" as Dr. Pillay says. In my travels to Europe, I've certainly stuck out because of my way of dressing, mannerisms, lack of fluency in the language, and my touristy activities. However, the way that I looked was never the thing that defined me as foreign. Now, the color of my skin makes me stand out as obviously "other." People definitely want to know who we are and where we came from. Only 3% of the population in Botswana is white; so even if we lived here, we would be oddities. While it's a little strange to be so obviously out-of-place, it is fun to greet people on the street with "Dumela!" They look so surprised to see white people speaking Setswana.

For breakfast this morning, we also had boiled and fried eggs and a little fruit. Also, today we had tea time, which was very well received. We’re wondering why we don’t have tea time in the States! I haven't been a big tea drinker for most of my life, but it's chilly in the mornings here and tea is a nice way to relax and recharge mid-morning.

We (and our digestive systems) are slowly adjusting to the food, but generally it has been very good. I’ve tried almost everything (there are too many options to try every dish at every meal,) and I haven’t yet found anything totally revolting. I have heard that there is a kind of worm that is a delicacy here in Botswana that we might be trying. I’m starting to psych myself up for that experience!

After our lessons today, we went back to the mall. I didn't need anything, but I went along just for fun and another chance to walk around the city. The weather is just about perfect here. Just a little chilly in the mornings and evenings and warm and sunny in the days; there is no humidity. So, I like to take any chance I can get to be outside. The designers of the University obviously understood the neccesity of taking advantage of the weather, because the campus is very open and airy with a lot of courtyards.

After we returned from the mall, we had some dinner and then changed to play some sports at the University sports areas. People played volleyball for a while and then I think they played some football (soccer.) However, I left with some of the other girls to get the internet working in my room.

That being said, the internet is working! Thanks to Clare Mulach's magical notepad with connection instructions that apparently work by simply being placed next to one's laptop, I was able to get the ethernet to connect. Hopefully this will mean much more regular posts (and no backdating--like I did on the last one!)