Culture Shock: Evidence of Economic Disparity

By Danielle Parker

in Lusaka, Zambia

Soweto Market lies in the western part of Lusaka, just next to the city's Town Center. An extension of its namesake the Soweto Compound where many of the sellers live, we were taken to get a glimpse of one of Zambia's many markets. Anticipation met reality the moment our group of touring students stepped off the bus. We were instantly greeted with stagnant water and feces swirled throughout the dusty ground. Zambian friends grabbed our arms tightly, warning us to stay close.

Rows of sellers wait by their goods. Photo by Loren Nolan

The market is a large maze of many rows of stands and sellers, all with similar goods: second-hand clothing, dried corn, and small fish. The dirt and smell of the sun-exposed fish and human waste surrounded us as we inched past the stands and sellers. I tried to maintain composure,but periodically retreated to the inside of my shirt where at least the smells were familiar. Someone pointed out that despite each of these long rows of sellers, we seemed to be the only buyers.

Just off the main road lies a large road that leads further into the neighborhood of the market's sellers. Large puddles of stagnant water coupled with the resulting mud serves as a mask, disguising the road from its true identity. A Zambian colleague explained that despite campaign promises, government officials do not see infrastructure in these areas as a priority.“They are not aware of their job. People shouldn't live like this,” she said.

Ineffective sewage systems produce trails of garbage
and mud like this one that runs through the market.
Photo by Loren Nolan

As we continued through the market, we discovered that within in this community, overlooked by government officials, there was evidence of a complex societal norms through one of the most basic human realities: dress. I was forewarned by my Zambian friend in the bus that my ¾ length shorts may be unacceptable and tied my sweater around my waist. People still looked disapprovingly.One of my group members was surrounded by a large group of women screaming in their local language. We later learned that these “call boys” were acting as watchdogs of the community claiming that, according to their standards, her skirt was too short.

We finally found solace past the main roads, on a quieter side-street with a short row of sellers. They were mostly women, which seemed to make a world of difference because with the subtraction of the smell and chaos, it felt like a  different world. There, we found a stand with traditional Zambian skirts that we later learned were called “chitenge,”and bartered until the price decreased 1,000 kwacha,the equivalent 20 cents. We retreated to the bus we left just minutes before changed.

From the market, we saw evidence of the disparity between the Zambian haves and have-nots and how the government reacts to the latter. Blatantly faced with the reality of the culture in Lusaka, we were faced with a wider perspective of this complex country: Zambia.

Danielle Parker is one of 18 students from Ohio University, studying abroad in Zambia over winter intercession, about media, society, and governance, through the Institute for International Journalism.

The Religion of Giving in Zambia

By Brooke Bunce

in Lusaka, Zambia

After a week in Africa, I’ve begun to just scratch the surface of its generosity. As an intern with Chikumbuso, I have come to see the role that religion plays in the lives of the widows, orphans and leaders of such an organization, as well as the impact of Christianity on the lives of those residing in Lusaka, Zambia. Simply driving around the city will make this apparent, as pictures of Jesus Christ are presented proudly on the back of public transit and words of praise are painted pristinely on buildings.

A Warm Welcome

As soon as I walked through the gates of the compound (or rather, was driven) I saw that underneath Chikumbuso was the word “remembrance.” The compound is a place to remember the gift of hope and to remember those who have passed.

The Chikumbuso Project and several other non-profit organizations in Zambia, Africa are largely driven by Christian beliefs and the will to help others who are less fortunate. The aforementioned program gives free schooling to orphans or underprivileged youth and teaches widows to be self-sustainable economically through bag making, tailoring and cooking.

During my time at Chikumbuso, I’ve observed the religious devotion that steers the children’s lives and guides their behavior. In art class, so many of them drew pictures of doves, Jesus, verses from the Bible and sprinkled phrases of blessings alongside their artwork. Their mornings start with a communal prayer and devotion is a structured part of the program’s curriculum.

Religious Glue

The truth is, religion is the cement that holds the lives of these widows and orphans together and gives them strength in times of disparity. It is their will to live, essentially. What is heart-breaking is that most of these children are HIV positive- and know that they are. The children will often discuss how they openly are infected and how they know they will eventually die from the disease.

One of the single moms that lives on the Ckumbuso Property is named Elida. What I found most striking is that she is my age, 20 years old, and yet she has already been through so much. She spoke about deaths in her family due to HIV so casually, yet she told me that she prays every night before sleep and is thankful that she is able to wake up each morning.

Elida and I chatted about music, boys, hair, family and nail polish; typical 20 year old subjects. Even though we may live on opposite sides of the world and have lifestyles that may be completely opposite, Elida and I were still people and able to relate on the most basic, and even mundane, subjects.

A Christian Nation

As one of guest lecturers Leonard Chitni explained, under the late President Frederick Chiluba Zambia was officially declared a “Christian Nation.” Because of this, prominent leaders are expected to act in the Christian ideal, but this of course does not always happen. Chitni reasoned that leaps and bounds could be taken in government if only Zambian leaders were to practice basic Christian principles. The country enjoys a variety of sectors of religion, including Hinduism and Islam, and practices great religious tolerance, even with this label.

Compared to the U.S., though we enjoy great religious tolerance and diversity, there was much controversy over the “Christian Nation” label that was present at one time. Though the majority of the population is in fact of the Christian faith, this label simply was not acceptable.

The children of Chikumbuso are the most disciplined, respectful, generous and giving I’ve ever met. They do not talk out of turn or argue with one another, always say thank you and are exceptionally clean, constantly sweeping the classrooms and the compound. When I first met Wilkinson, the founder, and told her that I loved it there, she responded, “Chikumbuso does that; it has a way of getting into your heart.” She was more than right.

Brooke Bunce is one of 18 students from Ohio University, studying abroad in Zambia over winter intercession about media, society, and governance, through the Institute for International Journalism.

She is a sophomore magazine journalism major with a specialization in women and gender studies.

HIV/Aids leaves children stranded in Zambia

By Sara Rice

There are emotions that people experience when they travel to a new country: Anxiety, fear, excitement, anticipation, and more. As I stepped out of the United States for the first time, I experienced many of those emotions. However, I never imagined the lessons that I would learn about the emotional toll HIV/Aids takes on a community of children halfway around the world.

As a student, I have learned about the statistics of HIV/Aids in other countries and know the symptoms of those infected. As a student in Zambia, I am beginning to understand the emotions that are felt when you make a connection with someone, or a community of people, infected with the disease.

The Problem

Elijah, a child that attends school at the project,

spends a lot of time to himself on the water wheel.

I have had the incredible opportunity to work with the children and widows at the Chikumbuso project in Lusaka, Zambia. Many of these children are orphaned by HIV/Aids and as a result, are infected with the disease. At the school they attend through the orphanage, the teachers and program directors strive to encourage a positive environment despite the tragic and inevitable lifespan of the children they work with and grow to love every day.

Tackling the affect of HIV/Aids

Through extensive counseling services and funding the expenses for the HIV/Aids medication, Gertrude, the director that lives at the school and Linda, the founder of the Chikumbuso project, have created a safe haven for children that feel as though their life does not have meaning or much of a future.

At the compound, pods of children develop where they discuss their feelings on their situation in private. The teachers and program directors at the school seek out the pods and try to break them up. The biggest influences on the positive atmosphere at the school are the student’s peers. The teachers are committed to building up students and maintaining a positive and encouraging environment.

Important Lessons

The smiles at the project are contagious. There is something about a child’s smile that pierces straight through me. During my time here, I have learned the important lesson that these children were taught at a much younger age; there is meaning to life no matter how short it may be. There is a beauty in life that cannot be seen no matter what circumstances you are presented. There is always a reason to smile, even when it may not be easy.

The children of the Chikumbuso project outside the art room.

I cannot wait to see where the next two weeks take me. If this experience continues as it has started, my heart will continue to change and my perspective will continue to become clearer.

Being the Minority in Zambia

By Sara DuBois,

In Lusaka, Zambia

Almost every Zambian I have spoken to during this trip has asked the question, “Is Africa what you expected?” My response is vague with a yes and no. My thoughts on Africa before the Zambia program were stereotypical and inaccurate. I assumed that life was unfortunate and unjust. Although some of my assumptions were seen here, I was wrong on many of my thoughts. People here are so friendly and can’t help but smile at you. Life is beautiful here and people’s situations don’t always affect their attitudes. I also was shocked to experience all the western influence here. On the radio and television is American style entertainment along with several local Zambian stations.

The Culture Shock

What shocked me the most about being here is that for the first time in my life I am the minority. In the United States being a white woman is nothing to look at in curiosity. In Zambia, everywhere I have been heads have turned in oddity. During my lunch break the other day I was sitting with two other white students and three Zambians came and slyly sat a close distance from us and had their picture taken with us in the background. Their giggles were more than enough to understand what they were doing and it was all in good measure. However within the first few days we have been here I have experienced more looks and shouts than I ever have in my life.

What The Majority Thinks

With Zambia’s population being almost 90% black it leaves around 10% for white, Chinese and Indian native minorities. When we toured The University of Zambia (UNZA) I did not see one white person. A lot of looks were shared because undoubtedly we look at black Zambians and take pictures of them just as much as they do to us. When I spoke to my internship coordinator at World Vision International-Zambia I asked him if black Zambians are prejudice of the minorities and he said no. He continued by saying that everyone is looked at equally in Zambia and although they see you white Americans and stare they see you as a sign of hope for them. They are grateful for you to travel such a long way just to help them and make their situation better.

Life Lessons

Being the minority for the first time in my life has really taught me a huge lesson. And that is to be understanding of what minorities are experiencing whether it’s racial, political, religious or any other categories. I have my own beliefs and morals but despite what I think about life it's important to be tolerant to what others think. The world is a unique place in that we are all different. Zambians get along so well I think because they enjoy themselves and make the most of life and each other’s differences. I think if a lot more people were to experience being part of a minority they would appreciate their own lives and also have empathy and understanding for others. So while I am here I want to learn as much as I can and hopefully will be transformed by the Zambian culture and its people that make this place so welcoming to others.

This is baby Ruth and her mom, she was curious to touch my skin.

Sara DuBois is one of 18 students from Ohio University, studying abroad in Zambia over winter intercession, about media, society, and governance, through the Institute for International Journalism.

She is a Senior, Communication Studies major

Related Area: Public Relations/Health

Pride through Poverty in Zambia

By Tom Ginley

in Lusaka, Zambia

Driving down the long dirt road, our driver constantly dodging pedestrians, we finally found an area to park our bus at the Soweto market in Lusaka. The brief glimpses I gathered as we drove towards our spot were merely a preview of the experience we were about to dive head first into. The amount of people flowing in different directions made our travel to our parking space quite a challenge.

The Soweto market exemplified the areas of Africa I came on this trip to experience. The accommodations and restaurants provided thus far for the program were, for the most part, on par with many American counterparts. However, to experience the true essence of Zambia, I wanted to visit areas such as Soweto to interact and understand the people and their ways of life. Walking through the market, seeing the people selling and buy produce amongst mud and garbage, truly humbled me to realize how blessed I am to live the way I do.

Smile and Powerthrough

However, one thing that I noticed about the Zambian culture is that despite their destitute living conditions, the people are very exuberant. It is difficult to see a child selling fruit while covered in mud and flies, yet a bright white smile flashing through. At the Soweto market and in my other interactions with Zambians, it truly amazes me how overly helpful and pleasant the people are. I cannot imagine living in many the conditions that I saw, so seeing how happy and pleasant the people of the country are while enduring their struggles made me really realize how trivial many of my everyday “problems” are back home. At the market it wasn’t uncommon to see people in used and tattered clothes, but it was just as common to see those people laughing and having a good time as well.

The atmosphere and interactions I experienced at the Soweto market make a perfect snapshot of the attitude of the Zambian culture. I am glad that my time spent in Zambia will help me put my own personal struggles in perspective. If the people of Zambia can endure and smile through it all, I hope that I can too.

Tom Ginley is one of 18 students from Ohio University, studying abroad in Zambia over winter intercession, about media, society, and governance, through the Institute for International Journalism

Navigating Zambia

By Alisha Estabrook, in Lusaka

Currently, Ohio University students studying abroad in Zambia since Nov. 26 have so far noticed some differences between the way people here run media, society and government versus the United States.

It is important to keep in mind that while these observations are comparing two nations, they are vastly different nations, on opposite hemispheres. Zambia is seven hours ahead of United States Eastern Standard Time on Daylight Savings. It took traveling across the Atlantic Ocean and crossing the Prime Meridian and Equator to skip forward in time. As someone who comes from a small town in the United States, I should point out that even big cities in the U.S. are strange territory for me.

This is Zambia in my opinion and its differences:

Transportation

In the first leg of our journey, I noticed quite a few differences in how people utilize transportation here in terms of personal vehicles, buses and walking.

In Zambia, previously a British colony, people drive on the left side of the road. Driving is crazy. I have not seen an accident and am amazed every day that I have not. Zambians are good drivers, but roads are very congested. Cars seem to have a magical force behind them, helping them to maneuver in and out of really tight places or over rough roads.

I have noticed that most vehicles have large license plates. They are taller than the ones found in the U.S., unless the plate is on a truck, then it is thin and long. For identification, the plates have three letters followed by a second line of four numbers.

Many people use buses to get around. They have short fronts that enable them to keep up with the congested traffic. They cram as many pedestrians into the bus as possible. People are packed in like sardines. The bus will even have people lying across people to squeeze in more bodies.

Bus stops are all over Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. They have pull-off areas connected to the road to pick people up. Many buses can occupy one pull-off area, making buses stick out into oncoming traffic. This is the cause of quite a bit of honking, but not the only honking. It seems that horns are constantly sounding, so much that we do not know why people honk half of the time.

Traffic never seems to slow down, unless there’s a jam. Merging on to a road seems dangerous, as it is not uncommon for cars behind you to not slow down. Certain times during the day, like when people travel to work, are busier than other times. Here, a traffic jam is part of the daily routine.

Main roads are paved, but side roads aren’t necessarily. Most vehicles are capable of off-roading. It has surprised me what the University of Zambia bus, our designated transportation for this trip, can make it though. I’m not sure if a typical bus driver from the U.S. would attempt half the things our driver has accomplished.

It took a few days before we saw a stoplight, and even longer before we came across a stop sign. Instead, Lusaka has many roundabouts. The stoplights and stop signs seem to be saved for the middle of the city, or less busy areas. But even then, you have to beware of traffic disregarding the signal.

Many road signs don’t have words on them. The outline and color of a yield sign is enough to get the message across. Street signs are limited. Usually bigger roads have names pointed out. The roundabouts are more likely to have the street names before the intersection, but in the case of smaller roads, I usually can’t find a street sign.

I have also noticed many speed bumps all over Lusaka as a way to help slow down traffic.

Not once have I seen any sort of handicapped parking space. I’m not sure if this is attributed to the fact that Zambians don’t live as long as people in the U.S. or not. I haven’t seen any elderly people out and about either, so there doesn’t seem to be a real need for them.

On Foot

People can be seen walking at any time of day. Pathways cut across the country or through fences. Footbridges are available so people can cross above busy streets. Sidewalks are generally found on busy streets either beside the road, separated by bumper strips or grass.

Young children travel on the backs of mothers wrapped in cloth that is tied in front of the woman’s chest.

They aren’t really crosswalks like the U.S. utilizes, and there is no concept of “jaywalking” (even though many people in the U.S. disregard that law too). People cross in front of traffic all the time, even when vehicles are traveling towards them. Vehicles drive alongside people, most of the time in really close proximity. I’m surprised people aren’t hit more often. Many people also stand in the middle of the road, attempting to sell newspapers or cell phone minutes to drivers and passengers. Lots of people also clean the sides of the roads as vehicles speed beside them.

Generally, most of these practices seem like a hazard to me. Coming from the U.S., I notice these things as differences from how the general public or I travel. Somehow, it works for Zambia.

Note these observations are only from Lusaka. I am looking forward to traveling outside of the capital to see how highways and other cities work with transportation.

Alisha Estabrook is one of 18 students from Ohio University, studying abroad in Zambia over winter intercession, about media, society, and governance, through the Institute for International Journalism

Smile Like You Mean It: Lessons from Zambia

By Adam Flango

in Lusaka, Zambia

A child smiles outside the door of a traditional healer

The Zambian customs agent took a look at my passport picture, which featured my stoic head shot, and laughed. “You Americans, you look so serious in your photos,” he said, flashing a wide grin. After a 25 hour trip, the comment barely registered on my disoriented, jet-lagged radar. I thought, a smile is just a smile, a sign of happiness, nothing more. In the United States, they are a welcome reprieve from the hectic, stress-filled everyday lifestyle that shows Americans with expressionless mouths. I soon found that in Zambia, it is not the same.

As I began to explore the country throughout the first week, it dawned on me that smiling is simply second nature to Zambians. It is a country full of toothy grins, shy smirks, and heartwarming smiles. The customs agent was not an overtly friendly guy by Zambian standards. He was simply a Zambian, a title that carries with it an aura of happiness and contentment.

Most residents of the hardly metropolitan but surprisingly developed capital city of Lusaka walk between cars, on sides of roads, on university campuses and through markets. A wave to a shoeless child playing in dirt is typically met by eyes lighting up and a bright smile. Maybe it's out of fascination or confusion, but with each day it seems that the happy demeanor of Lusaka's residents is a standard that trumps any place I have visited.

When Americans ask each other questions, they look for the quickest response possible. Yet every time I ask a question to a Zambian, be it a naïve cultural query or a practical one, it is met simply by a smile and a genuine answer.

It may not seem like a lot. I understand Americans are not robots and do smile and laugh. But the pervasiveness of the seemingly happy expressions on Zambian faces has a different effect.

Zambians live in a developing country roughly the size of Texas. Nearly 14% of residents are afflicted with HIV/AIDS, one of the highest percentages in the world. Over 60% of the country lives in poverty.

Yet smiles still abound, both in the poverty-stricken sections of town and in the wealthy parts.

A child at the Kasisi Orphanage, just outside Lusaka

Behind the Smiles

But the smiles also harrowingly magnify the few frowns on the faces of those in the streets and economically depressed compounds. Frowns of children crying while mothers try to shield them from the early morning heat. Frowns of vendors at the Soweto market trying to survive by selling fly-covered dried caterpillars or fruit.

I am quickly learning that Zambians smile by nature. But while the smiles cheer you up, it is the frowns bring you back to reality.

Adam Flango is one of 18 students from Ohio University, studying abroad in Zambia over winter intercession, about media, society, and governance, through the Institute for International Journalism.

He is a senior magazine journalism major.

Africa’s Poor: The Perceptions and Realities

By Brenda Evans in Lusaka, Zambia

Lusaka, Zambia

Many Americans have the notion that Africa is only mud huts and subsistence farming because of how the media portray it. Although many streets are overrun with litter and the average Zambian makes about $100 per month, this vast land is so much more than the images of hungry, eager children we see on UNICEF commercials. The cities have sky scrapers full of international companies; the malls are packed with busy shoppers and western clothes; and traffics jams are as frequent as they are in any U.S. city. The image of abject poverty is not a mirage, but it should not define a continent. There is so much that Americans don’t see of Africa due to our perceptions being influenced by the media and so much we do not understand about what poverty means to Africans.

A Small World

When I first arrived in Zambia, I didn’t feel like I was in Africa. We went from an airport to a high-end hotel and even the accents made me feel like I was in the British Virgin Islands.

The image I had in my head of the savanna and villages immediately was shaken and I realized that the world isn’t so big after all. I felt entirely comfortable, not at all like I had just traveled over 20 hours across the world. Although I knew that Lusaka was a more developed city, I had been preparing myself to be in complete culture shock. Instead I was greeted with a disappointingly western atmosphere.

The Face of Poverty

As we have gradually gotten deeper into the program, I have begun to see glimpses of the poverty that I had imagined. The market in Soweto was bustling with farmers and merchants hoping for the next purchase in order to get just enough kwacha to survive. But all they seemed to focus on anyway was surviving and family. Until I came to Zambia I didn’t know what poverty was truly like. Just like in the states, there are wealthy Zambians, middle class, and poor Zambians. But the disparities between the classes in the two nations are immense.

Home in Kalingalinga

When I walked into a man’s home in a village it was about the size of an Ohio University single-occupancy dorm room. The contents in this home were a bed, chair and decorations on the wall. Despite it all he was so kind to us. America’s poor often have televisions, refrigerators and all utilities. Even one of the wealthiest Zambians’ homes, which former President Kaunda lived in, was smaller than a good portion of the homes of the poor in America. I am curious to see a more modern home of a wealthy Zambian to compare the wealthiest citizens of both countries.

Zambia is home to a diverse class of people. The poor walk amongst the businessmen and women in traditional dress mix with those in westernized outfits of jeans and flip-flops. This mash-up makes Zambia stand out to me in a new way that is not defined by the media’s depiction. The amazing mix of class and culture has given way to a new form of development. I can only hope that the traditional culture is not lost in its move forward.

Brenda Evans is one of 18 students from Ohio University, studying abroad in Zambia over winter intercession, about media, society, and governance, through the Institute for International Journalism

SOS Children's Village in Lusaka, Zambia

By Bethany Scott

in Lusaka, Zambia

When I thought about orphanages, I imagined small, crowded rooms full of children with three or four caretakers chasing after them. This thought was further initiated in my mind when I traveled to Vietnam two years ago and played with children for a few hours at an orphanage in Nha Trang, Vietnam. I assumed when I found out that I would be interning at SOS Children’s Villages in Zambia that I would be met with similar circumstances like Vietnam where there would be overcrowding and a small staff.

However, I knew that I wanted to push myself out of my limits and try to make a difference during my short time in Lusaka, so I decided to sign up to a intern at a non-profit organization even if the experience could potentially be emotionally taxing.

History of SOS Children's Villages

Built in a dangerous area where murders were commonplace, SOS Children’s Village was established in 1996; however the organization began in 1949 in Austria. The SOS Children’s Villlages operate just like real-world villages where there are homes and a school. Twelve children live together in a house operated by a mom. There are currently 531 SOS Children’s Villages in the world with many of the organizations concentrated in Africa. Once the child turns 15, he or she is then placed in a youth facility where the teenagers live together like a roommate where they are also given a stipend to be used for groceries or whatever others items that can be afforded within the budget.

Mothers are given weekly stipends to be used for groceries or whatever items they wish. Once the children are placed in the youth housing, they are also given a stipend to pay for their food. SOS Children’s Villages is a home for children regardless of their situations—some are orphaned, others may be given to the village for concerns of abusive families. Whatever the situation, children are never turned away.

My experience interning at the village

Spending a day at SOS Children’s Villages can give you such a feeling of reassurance that at times I even forget that the children are orphans, however I am always pulled back into reality. The children are so intrigued with my personal life that will ask my questions such as, “Do you have parents?” Forgetting for a brief second that some of them are orphans, I reply, “Yes, but my mother passed away five years ago.” As soon as I was finished with the sentence, I was bombarded with replies of agreement that some of the mothers of the orphans had died as well.

Unless someone asked if the child was an orphan, I strongly believe that it would be strongly difficult for an outsider to discern if the child was an orphan or not. The children at the village are strong willed, intelligent and kind. Chelsea Moulder, my fellow intern and student at Ohio University, played a game with the girls that focused on self-esteem. Before starting the game, we went around the room asking them what they wanted to be when they were older. Without hesitation, almost every girl replied with either nurse, doctor or teacher.

The children at SOS Childrens Villages are without a doubt the nicest children that I have ever met. I love having opportunities volunteering at a non-profit because it reminds me to always stay grateful for what I have in the United States. Before I left the United States, I had the preconceived notion that most countries operated just like in the United States. I now know after traveling in college that this is not true. As the Christmas season approaches, consider sponsoring a child from SOS Children's Villages in Zambia. Can’t wait to see what all else happens in Zambia!

Bethany Scott is one of 18 students from Ohio University, studying abroad in Zambia over winter intercession, about media, society, and governance, through the Institute for International Journalism.

Pursuit of Higher Education: Illusion of Equal Opportunity

By Lauren Nolan

in Lusaka, Zambia

The college search process is an almost ascertain part of many American students lives as they near the end of their secondary educations. University of California Santa Barbara, Indiana University, University of Tennessee, University of South Florida, Miami University, Ohio University. I visited five different states, thousands of miles apart, over the time-span of a few months, all in the search for a university that would be just the right “fit” for me. Four years and some odd months later, I still remember the college search processclearly. There was a lot of travel, a number of campus tours, meetings with department heads, and speaking to current students about their experiences. I was excited for what my future had in store, and not once did it cross my mind that I would do something after high school other than attend a university.

I feel the expectation to achieve post-secondary educa tion, whether at a four-year university, community college, or vocational school, is fantastically engrained in the culture of the United States. Not only do I believe that many U.S. students take these opportunities for higher education for granted, they fail to seize their education, instead merely sailing through their academic careers. Students in the U.S. also fail to acknowledge that the opportunities for higher education are unequal, domestically and abroad. There is an illusion of equal opportunity.

Furthermore, some students in the U.S. simply attend universities as a result of pressure and expectations from parents, guidance counselors, or peers. A number of freshman students across the country enroll as “undecided” in their major area of study. Even students who do enroll with a selected major will often change it at some point during their undergraduate careers. None of the university students I spoke with in Zambia enrolled as an undecided major, and from what I see, that is the norm.

Attending university in Africa is a major feat, and one that, as far as I can tell, is not undertaken lightly. The students I have spoken with in Lusaka enrolled at The University of Zambia (UNZA) with clear goals. Zambian students take their education seriously, they found the thought of skipping a class outlandish. I find this amusing as I think back to some of my larger lecture classes early on in my college career, where most days I was easily able to find a seat any place I wished, but, when exam day rolled around suddenly the room was jam-packed with students.

UNZA students and Ohio University students mix and mingle while walking to class.

Less schools, less opportunity

Zambia is relative to the size of Texas. While Texas has a complex education system made up of more than 77 universities, Zambia has only about nine universities. Texas has a much larger population than Zambia, about 11 million more people. However, even Illinois, which has about the same size population, at around 12.4 million, has more than 75 universities. To even have the opportunity to attend a university in Zambia is prestigious and a notable accomplishment, as the lack of educational establishments results in a lack of opportunity for attendance.

I find myself highly impressed with the motivation and commitment of the students I met at UNZA. Not to say I am not as equally impressed with some students in the states and at my home university. However, the UNZA students seem fully aware of the fortune of their opportunity for higher education in a country where the school life expectancy is 7 years for females and 8 for males, while U.S. students seemingly take it for granted. I think that level of awareness and appreciation drives them to be successful, motivates them to not skip classes, and learn as much they can, while they can. Many U.S. students don’t bat an eye at the thought of skipping a class, especially if they feel they either don’t need it for the career fields they hope to enter or believe they can successfully pass the course without attending. I think this is a huge mistake on the part of American students. We should all learn from the Zambian students, and try to take away as much as we can from the opportunities we are presented. Therefore, the next time you think about skipping that economics class because you’re majoring in journalism and you “don’t need it,” consider the fact that many people in the world don’t even have the opportunities for such intellectual growth. Advance your knowledge and understanding in any subject area you can, and appreciate the fact that you have the opportunities at all.

I am currently a student at The University of Zambia, attending seminars in Lusaka as a part of an annual journalism study abroad program put on through cooperation with UNZA, Ohio University, The Institute for International Journalism, and the Ohio University Office of Education Abroad.

Brenda Evans, another Ohio University student, and I, on our first day of class at UNZA.

UNZA students sit outside to enjoy the weather between classes.

Another OU colleague, Tom Ginley, and I in front of The University of Zambia campus map.