Great Expectations
Great Expectations:
Since I am reflecting more than two weeks into my abroad experience I would like to discuss “shattered expectations.” Generally, what I hoped to get out of my semester abroad was a sense of a world quite different than mine. Forcing myself to move outside of a set comfort zone is what I needed to continue my academic career in a self fulfilling manner. Gaining a sense of the how the rest of the world (especially the developing world) operates is going to be the corner-stone of my political science education. More specifically before I left I expected that my stay in Kenya would have emotional highs and lows. I am happy to report that academically I feel like I am in the perfect place with perfect professors, classes and peers. Covering third world development from an afro-centric point of view is eye-opening and beneficial to the forming of my worldview. As far as the culture is concerned, I expected to be a minority, but never really sat down and thought about what this meant. While there are areas in Kenya where people are used to seeing “mazungus” (white people), the home-stays in and around Nairobi are in neighborhoods where I stick out more than I could have ever imagined. If there is one expectation that has been shattered it is the un-anticipated stress that comes from living in a very dangerous city where you are a target. While this is indeed nerve-racking it is providing the most intense experiential learning experience of my life. I can see things from a completely different view point and often sit down to reflect on why I am feeling the way I am. I did not expect to be received with angry sets of eyes everywhere I walk, but this is the environment I am in and find myself learning more about people, politics, poverty and most importantly myself through it all. Once again, my academic expectations have been fulfilled thus far and this is what is keeping me busy and my spirits high. Cultural expectations have been shattered and it is hard to put into words what I feel, but can guarantee that this is a life changing experience that will further my education. The main goal of moving outside my American comfort bubble has definitely been fulfilled. Showering with a bucket, and frequent power failures make you realize that the Kenyan middle class is not what an American thinks of when middle class comes to mind. It is hard to center myself because there is so much to take in and write about, but overall, there are highs and there are lows. The key to survival here is to act like you know what you are doing and to not allow yourself to become caged by the intimidation that a third world culture poses. I could never have expected what I have already experienced.