Reaction Paper

Here is a copy of my reaction paper that was due for class. It may have some of the same info from the last blog, but I thought everyone might like to read it. (There will be more soon, but I can only write so much in one day!)



Botswana so far has been a very interesting experience for me. As I had already travelled to an African country in the past, I didn’t really know what to expect in Botswana. Most of the information I had on Botswana was the information I was given in the orientation before leaving the states, the information I used for researching the group project, and other bits and pieces of information I could find online. I had only met a handful of people who had ever been to Botswana, and all they really told me was that it was an amazing experience and that it was really cold!

My first glance into what my stay in Botswana would be like took place on the plane ride from South Africa to Gaborone. When we got on the plane, all of the passengers and all of the airline employees were speaking in Setswana. Even the instructions that were given before the plane took off were given in Setswana before they were given in English. Before leaving for Botswana I was under the impression that English was the spoken language in Botswana, and that seems to be not true. Even though most people from Botswana speak English very well, Setswana is used much more. Even though I was unprepared to be around so many people speaking Setswana, it does not really bother me that English is not the spoken language. I think it is wonderful that the people of Botswana have held on to such an important aspect of their culture.

The second reaction that I had also took place on the plane. When we were boarding the plane and I was looking around at the people who were surrounding me, I could not help but wonder if anyone on the plane had HIV/AIDS. It was more of a curiosity than anything else. During my stay I am bound to meet people living with HIV/AIDS, but it is questionable whether or not I will know their HIV/AIDS status. The idea of being surrounded by people with HIV/AIDS does not bother me in the least, I am just more curious about people’s life stories. I would like to know what kind of people are living in Botswana with HIV/AIDS, but I suppose that is none of my business. Since HIV/AIDS is still so highly stigmatized here, the last thing I would want to do is make anyone uncomfortable.

On the topic of HIV/AIDS, one of the most noticeable trends of the trip so far is the lack of discussion on the issue. As a country with such high HIV/AIDS rates, I was expecting the issue of HIV/AIDS to be much talked about, but I feel that is not the case. Even walking and driving around the city I expected to see HIV/AIDS prevention advertisements posted everywhere, but they seem to be few and far between. When we do see HIV/AIDS prevention or testing advertisements, they have all been in English instead of Setswana, even though the spoken language in Gaborone seems to be Setswana. As we have gone to several different organizations, the orphanage, the women’s shelter and the hospice, HIV/AIDS has not been the main topic of conversation. Even as we have asked questions concerning HIV/AIDS, very little was said about the problem.

I have mixed feelings about the people from Botswana. Mostly, I love the people and I love the culture. Most people have been very friendly and very helpful. When I have greeted people, most everyone has had a friendly response, and has been more than happy to assist me in trying to learn the language. Many people have stopped to ask questions about where I come from, and why I am here. I have enjoyed sharing my story, and learning others stories. On the other hand, we have encountered some problems with a few groups of people.

The first problem we encountered was at the airport when several pieces of our luggage were left in South Africa. The airline employees immediately blamed the delayed luggage on us, even though we had no control over the situation. We retrieved our luggage the next day, but it was not the most positive welcome to Botswana. The second problem we had was with the librarians. There seems to be a lot of red-tape that we have had to go through in order to get access to computers. It is a different way of doing things, which is understandable, but the librarians were not very friendly. I also feel very out of place at times when I go somewhere and speak English, I have feelings of guilt for not being familiar with Setswana. These are minor problems however, and I doubt they will have any lasting effect on my overall experience in Botswana.

The other aspect of the culture that has been difficult to get used to is the fact that Botswana is a patriarchal society. It has been very evident to me that men are dominant in this culture. I would feel very uncomfortable going anywhere alone, because even when I am with people I have been getting a good amount of attention from men. Most men seem to be perfectly respectful, but others have been very forward and overly flirtatious. I don’t feel threatened most of the time; it is just an aspect of the culture that will take some getting used to.

So far, my favourite experience has to be going to the SOS Children’s Village. I really enjoyed learning about the organization, even if I don’t agree with the way the organization is run. I absolutely loved playing with the children; it warmed my heart to see that even children in need of care are so happy. I’m not sure where I want to work yet, but the SOS Children’s Village is a definite possibility. The only hesitation I have with working with at the orphanage is the issue of attachment. I think that working with the children all day could be heartbreaking when it is time for me to leave, but it would be a very rewarding experience. I’m sure that when working with HIV/AIDS, there is always the chance of leaving heartbroken, but I knew this before applying for the program.

I am very excited for the remainder of my stay in Botswana. I think that as I learn more of the language and the culture, the more comfortable I will become in Gaborone. I am very excited to start taking Setswana lessons, as well as start working for the organization I choose. I am looking forward to going out on excursions, and meeting even more new people. I do think there is a change that the experience could be very draining physically and emotionally, but it is a once in a lifetime learning opportunity that could very well have a lasting affect on my life and my future.