Ninajifuza Kiswahili (I am learning Kiswahili)

Passport in hand, I set off for Georgetown’s summer program in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. For six weeks I studied intensive Kiswahili and Development Studies with six fellow students under the direction of Professor Lahra Smith and her one-year-old son, Abraham. With studying the language for four hours a day and practicing it in restaurants, the market, and with the host family, I could proudly make basic conversation by the end of the program. Stress here on the basic. On our final exam, one of the questions was ‘what is your least favorite part of Tanzania?’ My answer (translated):

“I do not like bugs. They are small and I cannot see them. When I sleep, I can hear them near by. I want all bugs to die.”

Of course, in reality, I am not that cynical. But, with a limited vocabulary, that was the best I could do.

Having Development Studies taught by a Tanzanian professor gave the topic a completely new prospective- he concluded that most theories create relationships of exploitation, and so the true solution lies in sustainable human development, an idea I have yet to hear at Georgetown. Develop the population without damaging the environment, and we may be able to move forward on a global level. Definitely a possibility.

The beginner Kiswahili class with our wonderful professors