I should so be sleeping!

Instead, I'm having a total SQUEE moment at getting to work with Reach the World (www.reachtheworld.org). I mean, yes, I have known about this for a bit now, but now, it's about to start! I can't wait to find out what class will be following my journey! I'm trying to make a mental to-do list of all the things I need to do with RTW. Definitely need to see how the punctuation of my essays can be polished - a couple things were definitely lost in translation... All in all though, I'm just super excited. I'm trying to decide what to write for my first entry. I think I'm going to talk about the wedding I went to in Mahalapye. I have some great pics... I also need to start carrying my camera around with me. It probably feels incredibly neglected.

I'm just so amazed at all the opportunities that I've gotten so far as a Gilman recipient... And it seems they're not going to stop, even after I come home. For anyone following this blog - if you're getting a Pell Grant and want to study abroad, the Gilman is accepting applications for next year (www.iie.org/gilman). Go check it out!

Another note - also SQUEE inducing, I got the Gilman Alumni Newsletter - they had a little blurb about the RTW program. I totally sent that to my mama :) In case you haven't notied, I definitely have words of affirmation in my love language makeup!

Okay - I'm going to try to sleep now - this sore throat of mine needs rest!

Thoughts :)

I really surprised. I quite enjoy having an actual roommate (I say actual because I had a roommate at home, but we only shared a house... not a room). Her name is Kristin, she is from Norway and she's funny. We both sleep pretty heavily and I don't know. I just really like her.

This whole experience is just interesting. I think that the students here are probably much more informed in general knowledge than those back home. The degrees also seem to be more specialised. I think lack of access to technology has more of an effect on academic quality than anything.

However, my unit (archaeology) actually seems to be quite full of very current thinkers. My favorite lecturer by far is Dr. Segobye. She's gotten me really interested in the issues of Heritage Management. Something I would never have studied if not for coming here.

Study abroad is an opportunity that shouldn't be missed. I was always aware of the buffer we have as American's, but honestly immersing yourself in another culture is such a rich and rewarding experience. Every student should have this opportunity... it should be on everyone's bucket list!

Update :)

So, I've officially settled into school life. It's similar enough, but there are a few things I miss at the UA - for instance: 24 hour access to the library and 24 hour coffee shops. Other than that, it's pretty nice. In some respects, the academic standards are higher here - paper quality and etc. You definitely have to be more self motivated here.

Also, printing is a large pain. I've just emailed my first assignment and I'm hoping that will be acceptable. We'll see though, I'm going to go to an internet cafe later and print it just in case.

I spent a couple weeks staying with a friend on the other side of town. It was great but the commute sucks with public transport, especially with an eight am class three days a week.

However, the experieince so far has been incredibly rewarding.

I've also been chosen as a Reach the World corrspondent for the Gilman's pilot program - I'm really looking forward to it!

Two Weeks in Africa...er UB

Kudos to anyone who gets the song reference.

So, this past week has been just a little frustrating, UB is quite disorganized when it comes to registration and scheduling issues, luckily, it is all behind me know.

Already this study abroad experience has been rewarding and stretching. I certainly appreciate web reg at UA now!

We got working internet in our dorms, but, alas, it's not working again. However, it is supposed to be on again once the electricians do something. Not holding my breath for it to happen this weekend though.

I'm currently staying off campus for the next week or so with my friend, Ogee. I'm staying there because my other friend, Botlhe, is in Maun and their flat was recently broken into, so, Ogee doesn't want to stay alone. Last night we made dinner, it was pretty excellent, we called it Kat a la Ogee.

I'm now about to do some research, so, ta for now.

Internet and Weddings

Apparently, you have to pull teeth to get the internet around here. I still don’t have it by the way – though I have got wireless now, but only around the library. I’m hoping by the end of the day to actually have internet in my dorm room.

The dorms are pretty nice, I’m sharing with one other exchange student, but there is a big wall between our beds, so it’s a lot like having your on room. The student hostels that we are in are nice, they are for third and fourth years only and our block is referred to as Las Vegas. Everyone in Gabs seems to know it as that so far.

Classes start tomorrow, I only know where one class is – hopefully I can find the archaeology labs without too much trouble as the majority of my classes are in them. At least I know where my first class is!

I haven’t met any other Gilman Scholars yet, but then again, I haven’t checked to see if any other student on the award list is coming to UB. I don’t know what I would have done if not for the Gilman, as my school financial aid office is not releasing any funds to me until classes start at UA. I’m able to pay for my accommodation and meals with the Gilman funds… so thank you State Department!

I went to a traditional wedding this weekend. It was a good time. I’ll post pictures once I get the internet in my room.

Ta for now.

Travel

I'm currently traveling to Botswana. I am in LHR right now. I'm pretty excited, not going to lie. I've already had some adventures, like leaving my passport at security, but luckily, BA got it and gave it back to me. Will update again after I get settled in Bots.

Gilman Scholarship

Well, I got some pretty amazing news today. It went something like this:

"Congratulations! On behalf of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education (IIE), I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected as a recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship..."

I'm not going to lie. I had a total squee moment, à la those scary Twilight fangirls. Thus, I begin my adventure in student exchanges as a Gilman recipient. I'm headed to the University of Botswana for the 2009 Fall Semester.

I am blogging as a component to my Gilman Follow On Project. I am using this as a medium to getting the word out about the Gilman in particular and study abroad in general.

A little background about myself. I am a 24 year old undergraduate student in the Anthropology program at the University of Arizona. I am interested in cognitive development in prehistory and early bipedalism. I love to travel. I also take high school students on mission trips during the summer. I am headed to Uganda and Alaska this summer before going to Bots.

Well, that's all for now, but I'll keep you updated!