Gonzaga University Psychology Program in Africa

Mui-shani!

After reading everyone’s posts I can’t help but cry. (I also can’t help but think that everything has already been written about ha ha.) It’s incredible how the simple change of setting, can do to a person. The tiny transformations that I feel happen here daily are unlike anything I’ve experienced. My sensations are completely heightened- there is no faint freeway noise when I’m drinking my coffee outside in the morning, the Read more »

Hello!

I can’t even begin to describe how much fun I’ve been having and how much I’ve fallen in love with it here. I have had two experiences in particular in this past week that have really shown me African culture and have been extremely eye opening.

The first was one day, Christine, Becky, and I made a lunch for two of the Read more »

Hey guys!

I just spent the last few days at the women’s center in Muchinshi and pretty much had the time of my life! Everyone was so welcoming and kind. We were able to really integrate with the Zambian people which was a really moving experience. We spent a lot of time with Bona Rachel who runs the women’s center and she really is an amazing woman. I also had a great opportunity to interact with high school kids. The teachers are on strike so we went and helped out at the local basic school teaching the 9th Read more »

I can honestly say that as time has passed here I have been enjoying myself more and more. This last week has been the best so far. I’ve been having lots of fun going and playing with the local compound kids, even though for the most part we don’t really understand each other. That doesn’t stop us from playing and getting to know each other though. This week Courtney, Christine and I went to observe the kids in their schoolhouse. Their teacher, Mayben, is one of the most friendly and Read more »

There are few things more beautiful than a Zambian sunset. When you combine that breathtaking sunset overlooking the flood plains from underneath huge African trees full of vervet monkeys and birds and African parrots chirping in the background and baboons running around eating fruit near and under massive flowers in full bloom and a big hippo named Billy with the company of close friends and interesting strangers at a barbeque complete with sausage, marinated chicken, and sweet Read more »

Hello all from Zambia! I am having such an amazing time and am sad to see the days winding down. As mentioned before me I was able to spend some time in Muchinshi with Tyler and Colleen. We did so many things in our three days there its hard to know what to talk about.

There was one experience that was especially life changing for me. As many people close to me know I am hoping to one day be a doctor. While in Muchinshi we were able to go to the neighboring larger town, Chingola, Read more »

Hello all!

Since I last wrote, I have fallen even more deeply in love with Africa, and I believe that this is due in large part to the amazing people I have had the privilege to meet during this trip.

We just received a visit from a local basic school, and despite the significant language barrier between us, we were able to come together each evening they were here and express the sense of community and Read more »

Hello Everyone from Africa!!!!  I can’t even begin to explain the impact that this trip has had on me thus far.  The people here are absolutely amazing and their kindness is like none I have ever seen.  They have a certain passion for life that is very unique and infectious.  No matter all the hardships that they and their families endure on a daily basis, they live with happiness so full of life, and so appreciative of the simplest things.  We are in a poverty stricken country but I feel that in some ways they are this richest in the treasures of life.  Here’s what I mean:  I met a Read more »

Looking back on the last week or so I’ve realized how much more comfortable I am here now and how developing a routine has helped me build more on the relationships I’ve started.  We started filming the chimps at enclosures and I think I’ve developed a slight crush on one of the chimps.  I’ve stayed at the first enclosure, which has 25ish chimps so with the help of the keepers and Dr. Bodamer, I can now recognize most of them.  We usually film around lunch time so we get a lot of alpha male Read more »

As Colleen mentioned, I also recently returned from Muchinshi.  It was definitely one of the greatest experiences of my life.  I was able to see an entirely different side of Zambia and got a better chance to know some of the Zambian people.  Everyone was so generous and kind it was almost unbelievable.  The entire time I was there I felt completely accepted and right at home. Read more »