My Life on a Rwandan University Campus: Lecturer Style

I must confess to you that when I found out that my placement was 2.5 hours outside of the capital city, Kigali, I was devastated. But when I arrived in Rwanda and told different people I would be living in Gisenyi, everyone told me how lucky I was. Seven months into my grant period here, I truly have come to know and love my small town on the border of Congo. The energy, the vibrant colors, the imam’s sounds from the town mosque, the stunning view of Lake Kivu just outside my door, the sounds of the students from my window passing by, the avocado-bearing tree that drops its fruits in the dead of the night on the roof of my house. I truly lucked out.

The last time I lived on a college campus was in 2010, the year I graduated. When I arrived to Rwanda Tourism University College, my host institution for my nine months as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, I had low expectations (a skill you have to develop when travelling).  I knew that I would be provided a house on the campus, furnished with the few amenities, I needed. So I was really just showing up as Bintu, and with all of my many clothes and shoes and bintunecessities in three suitcases, a hand luggage, and an oversized personal item.

I was ushered to a cute little house on the campus just behind the main lecture hall and administrative offices and attached to the boys hostel behind me. They couldn’t have created a more comfortable home for me. As it is my first time living alone, I needed something cozy, and I was given just that. The home has almost a grandmother’s feel and everyone who visits catches that vibe.  It’s like a studio house, made for one single lady like me or a couple who doesn’t need to be separated my much space ;) It’s a one bedroom, decently sized room with a bathroom attached.

I have a big sink, which believe me is a big deal when you are washing fufu pots. A refrigerator that didn’t work for the first months, although the top freezer part functions readily. And the same refrigerator doesn’t work again. No microwave, which I don’t find myself missing either; I have found creative ways to reheat food. But also going to the market and thinking of what I can finesse on the stove with limited ingredients is fun too.

The fact that I live on campus means I need less than five minutes to get to class. This also means that students are always knocking on my door. Most times they are just stopping by to say hi. Other times, they are coming to ask questions. During exam time they are coming to file their complaints about discrepancies and beg for pardons on zeros assigned when caught cheating. Overall, living on campus as their lecturer allows for integration into the school community. I really have made a home here and always feel that sense of comfort when I walk back on the campus.  I usually leave my windows and front door open to catch the nice breeze, but mostly to invite positive energy into my home and make my students feel welcome. This is not a requirement, but as I am here on a cultural exchange, one thing I want to share is my openness.   

my awesome first year students came to say Hi after their evening class

ran into my Hotel and Restaurant Management students on my back home from town

Lights are out by 10, not sure if that’s a rule or if every student on this campus closes their eyes at 10 pm. That’s when the gate closes and students are not allowed to leave or enter after that time. I am an exception.

Campus life is still fun, even from a Lecturer’s perspective. Stay tuned.

Morning on the Mountaintop

Years from now, I will look at my children and tell them that one day your mama was on a mountain top in Rwanda, East Africa planting trees. They will think I am a crazy mom, of course, but then I’ll show them these pictures and they will see that I ain’t so crazy. The journey to the mountaintop  marked the inauguration of a new youth group that would be committed to service.  I didn’t know that the walk would be so long. I didn’t know that it would actually be a hike. And lord knows I didn’t know it would be up a mountain. Nonetheless, I put on my standard, comfortable [and cute] clothes, my pretty, pink pumas and began the trek. There were times when I doubted my ability to make it through but I did.  The end was rewarding for many reasons: the physical experience, the confidence building aspect of it, and the ceremonial experience of tree-planting here in Rwanda. The students sang and danced as they planted the trees. Some sat down and chatted, but I think in general, everyone felt a sense of community. I am glad I made the journey. Can I change my name to mountaineer now?

mama, i made it 

leaving campus

this is when i realized that we were going up a mountain

we went beyond that bush in the background

two of my travel and tourism students looking awesome in their ranger gear! 

it was amazing to see that people live up these hills

my pumas: from panama to rwanda

The Rwandan government has made no mistake when it comes to investing in youth and instilling in them, the mindset that youth can and do have the ability to impact their country. Each time I am teaching a new group of students, they remind me that they understand their own power within society. My students, when asked why they have chosen to study, rarely have selfish or personal reasons; they always mention something about improving their country. It’s an interesting phenomenon, I would say. Really, it is. Say what you must, but they have got the youth empowerment thing figured out.

In just the two short months that I have been here, I have experienced quite a few things that compound my aforementioned observations. I sat in a presentation where some officials came by to discuss the role of democracy in society and how youth are a part of that equation. I went to the second year anniversary for the organization of students who are genocide survivors. To see the manner in which they regard themselves, the family they have created, and the dedication they have to upholding the legacy of the organization, is commendable. Finally, this week I was a part of an experience that reaffirmed one of the reasons why I do what I do. Who doesn’t want youth to journey to the mountaintop while sowing their seeds along the way, and becoming the voices of their generation?

student leaders addressing their peers, officials, and community members

everyone was in on the fun :)

chillin'

if this doesn't capture enjoyment, i don't know what does

to think: there's more to come folks!

*This blog (Bee's Backseat) is not an official Fulbright Program site.  The views expressed on this site are entirely those of its author and do not represent the views of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State or any of its partner organizations.

Randoms from Rwanda: One Month in the Rolling Hills

1.     When more than 600 eyeballs are looking at you, don’t reach in your bag, grab lip gloss and apply it. They will laugh at you J

2.     Students STILL don’t like to get caught cheating. “Forgiveness” means that instead of giving them a zero I give them an opportunity to retake it. Not.

3.     That motioning my hand in the manner where my fingers move up and down against my palm is not just simply a sweet wave here; it summons people. I can attribute many awkward moments to this cross-cultural faux pas. I think I am giving a cute wave and a student runs out of the middle of the lecture to come and see why I have called them. Oops. And oops again.

4.     People speak French to me because I should be Congolese. Sometimes Swahili because I could be Kenyan. Not American, of course ;)

5.     There is absolutely nothing wrong with staying home and reveling in the joy of living single, having time to relax, think, plan, envision and dream.

6.     Jogging will cause the entire campus to come out and look at you. Jumping rope in front of your house on campus, will attract a group of students, who will stare while you try not to trip over the rope.

7.     That culture really is the basis of our beliefs and our truths. I put too much pepper sauce on food here and people stare at me. Finally someone was brave enough [instead of staring and passing judgement] to tell me why it is frowned upon to add too much spice. The belief here is that too much spice is not good for an unmarried woman. To the well-meaning waiter who informed me of this, I quipped, “Where my blood is from, we cannot eat without spice and in fact, women there get married. I intend on getting married too.” Exit Stage Left ;)

8.     Rwanda really is a quiet place. Being here at this point in my life is needed. Master plans come alive in these spaces.

9.     I can live without rice. Maybe even bread. But not plantain. I tried and it didn’t work. If my Panamanian crew knew the struggle I go through to get plantains, they would value Fruteria Mimi. Rwanda isn’t a tropical country afterall; and plantains are expensive here.

10. Giving up my short shorts and bikinis for the lecturer look hasn’t been as difficult as I thought it might be. The beach still awaits me though.

11. I catch my students sneaking pictures of me; apparently, even if I thought some were not paying attention, they still find me interesting, I think. 

12. Lecturers can flex on em’. Translation: Educators are respected here. Little ol’ me J

*This blog (Bee's Backseat) is not an official Fulbright Program site.  The views expressed on this site are entirely those of its author and do not represent the views of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State or any of its partner organizations.