1. Problems with registration (done manually here) meant that many people were still waiting for their print-outs (verification of successful registration) on Monday and Tuesday, or in my case, Thursday.
2. Professors, likewise, and for the same reasons, do not have print-outs of their class rosters.
3. Students received their monetary allowance from the government this week (and who wants to get an education when they're rich?)
4. It is typical for both professors and students alike to miss the first week of classes entirely because, as many Batswana will tell you, nothing really happens.
I survived my first week of classes, but most classes were sparsely populated and very little happened in many of them. After a bit of finagling, I have created a class schedule that leaves my Fridays completely open. Translation: I won't have to skip classes to get in a 3-day weekend of travel. My courses are as follows:
1. History - Growth, Policy, and Poverty in Africa, Latin America, South and Southeast Asia.
2. African-Caribbean Literature
3. Biology - Principles of Ecology
4. Introduction to Setswana
5. The Sociology of Literature
6. Children's Traditions and Dramatics (looking at children's game, storytelling, and other traditions. I thought it might be useful to my park ranger career. :)
The last two I am trying out new this week, and I may drop one or the other, or I may keep both if I think I can handle 6 courses. The credit load is only 16 hours, and the word on the street is that homework loads are much lighter here than back in the States, so I'm thinking I might be okay. Whatever the case, I need to keep myself busy, because so far I've been academically bored, and that's no fun!
A couple fun things I've done in the past several days include hiking up Kgale Hill (pronounced KHAH-lee; see pictures here), a visit to the National Museum and Art Gallery (where I was startled and a bit disturbed to witness the HIV/AIDS awareness movement in the form of phallus and condom art), the purchasing of a pair of burgundy hi-top Chuck Taylors for 70 pula ($10.57) in Main Mall, and this weekend's cultural excursion through the international office which included learning about traditional administration and judiciary goings-on at a kgotla (KHOHT-lah), ancient rock wall paintings, the biggest, oldest wild fig tree ever, sleeping in a mud hut, and more! (see pictures here)
The first real week of classes starts tomorrow, and I'm excited to see how school goes once we all fall into the swing of things.
Until next time!
~Jaclynn
Sweet pictures again Jaclynn! I hope your classes get figured out and everything. That can be really frustrating, but hang in there!
ReplyDeleteHow are you adjusting to the temp/humidity? It's gotta be a big change from your home turf.
ReplyDeleteStay well!
Temp and humidity are both real killers. I find myself tired a lot, and I take naps pretty frequently, but I think I'm finally starting to be able to adjust. The hardest thing was probably getting used to falling asleep hot instead of having the luxury of falling asleep cold that I get back home, and certainly in Bodie. But in general it's not too bad - doesn't usually get above 85* or so on the hottest days, so I've managed to survive thus far.
ReplyDeleteHope all goes well with your schedule and adjusting! You are sure a long way from Bodie now!
ReplyDeleteSounds like my kind of academia, laid back ;)Have fun Jaclynn!
ReplyDelete