I used my STEP fellowship to help fund my study abroad experience in Uganda this past May. Our month long trip focused on the topics of development and human security, and fulfilled three credits of International Studies credit. While living with a Ugandan host family, we attended lectures, wrote journal entries and papers, conducted research, presented our results, and visited many different places like schools, hospitals, small businesses, microfinance centers, and markets.

This experience has provided me with a better understanding of my worldview. I don’t feel like my outlook on the world has been totally transformed, but it has been widened and strengthened by these new experiences. My time spent in Uganda has emphasized what I have noticed while traveling other parts of the world. No one place has a single story that can describe it, and no single stereotype is true for all the people living there. The inability to accurately or fully describe something, someone, or some place is a good thing in my eyes. Every part of this world is unique and never fully known. There is always more to understand and plenty of room to explore.

One lesson that especially stood out to me during my time abroad is that just because something is different does not mean it is wrong. As Americans, who constantly hear we are the “greatest country in the world”, we tend to assume that our systems and policies should also be implemented elsewhere. Other parts of the world have different problems, histories, and cultures to consider when making policies. Our systems may not be a perfect fit for others and that’s important to remember that when discussing development and possible solutions.

Another important idea I took away from this experience is the concept of Ugandan time. The Ugandans were very relaxed with time and rarely worried about being late to an event. I have always known myself to be frazzled and in a hurry. I never really relax or just enjoy the moment because I’m always worrying about what I have to do next. This everyday relaxation was so foreign to me and I loved it. It is something that I have tried to keep on my mind back here at school.

Julia & I with our professor, Dr. Fouts

The growth and transformation I have experienced are results of my relationship with Dr. Fouts, my homestay with my Ugandan host family, and my time in the capital city, Kampala. Dr. Fouts was the best trip advisor, professor, mentor, and friend we could have asked for. She deeply cared for all twelve of us as if we were her own children. Her laid back, go with the flow mentality, and cheery demeanor enabled us to make the most of this experience. Although it took me a while to adjust to her extreme interpretation of Ugandan time, it forced me out of my comfort zone and forced me to grow as an individual. Dr. Fouts’ knowledge of Uganda was endless. We could easily have discussions with her about the culture, history, economy, political system, or education system. Her discussion questions and responses to our journal entries made us think differently about each topic, reaching deeper and deeper each time we discussed.

My host family was so warm and welcoming. They made my experience much more personal and provided me with a deeper connection to Uganda. I now consider myself to have family in Africa, and I know that I am always welcome there. My host family alone shattered the idea of a single story. From the single mother working hard as a business woman, and the dedicated teenage students who loved American pop culture, to the Auntie who lived in both Uganda and Kenya, and the house girl who cooked and cleaned for them all. They showed me so many different Ugandan lifestyles all within one household. I cannot describe all teenagers in Uganda or all family dynamics because I only have my own experience, but I am grateful to have seen these examples first hand on a personal level. Just as it is in America, there is not one type of family or one type of teenager.

Lastly, exploring Kampala, the capital city, without the help of locals led to my growth and transformation. I had the chance to experience the city on my own, make my own observations and figure things out for myself. I had some really great experiences while being independent in the city. But I would be wrong to lead everyone to think that everything in Uganda was perfect. Although most people were very nice, there were unkind people. Just like in any big city, there were aggressive vendors, rude taxi drivers, and ill-mannered catcallers. Although interacting with such people is an unpleasant experience, it is crucial to understanding any country on a deeper level, and not just as a tourist. For a month, I experienced everyday life for a woman in Uganda.

My college experience has been significantly altered because I have knowledge of, have witnessed, and have

All of the OSU students who are a part of the Global May Uganda Family!

experienced unique things that I would have never had the chance to without this study abroad involvement. I have become more outgoing, and more open to new ideas because of it. The lessons and skills I have gained from this will not go unused in reaching my goals. Having studied abroad, I am now more equipped to handle demanding job roles that require me to be flexible and act on my feet. In addition, my cross-cultural communication skills have been improved. I have grown immensely as an international traveler and developed an even stronger desire to travel. As a result of the independent aspects of this trip, I know I am capable of making my goal of living abroad one day a reality. I have developed a strong love for a country and a culture I recently knew nothing about and hope to go back there soon. With each email I receive from my host family across the globe, I miss them more and more. This experience has changed me for the better and I couldn’t imagine my college experience without it.