Well, I am journeying to Cameroon aka "miniature Africa" on Aug 30 and will most likely return around December 13. Cameroon is recognized for its ethnic/religious/environmental diversity, and hopefully this blog generates some awareness/interest/anything, really..about Cameroon! Oh, I've also included a map because really, how many people are familiar with the geographical location of this country?
My semester is programmed by the School of International Training (SIT), which offers themed studies in a variety of locations around the world. My program is titled Cameroon: Development and Social Change, and surprise, my life will be structured in conjunction with these themes. I will be attending classes, not at a particular university but rather in a range of places with professors and other knowledgables from around the region. About 20 other american students will accompany me on my journey to mini Africa, however I will be living independently with host families for the majority of the next 4 months, conversing primarily in french. Toward the end of my stay, I will be conducting an independent study project (ISP), the crux of the SIT system. My ISP has yet to be determined, but I'll keep all y'all posted.
Lastly, I decided to c+paste my schedule, for anyone who is SO interested they just can't wait because I know I can't..
August 31: Arrival in Yaoundé and Orientation begins
August 31 – September 4: Orientation
September 5 – September 19 : Homestay in Yaoundé, French Language Study,
Development and Social Change Seminars, Field Study Seminars
September 19 – October 4 : French Language Study, Field Study Seminar, Culture and Development Seminar, and concurrent homestay in Dschang, Excursion to Bamenda
October 5 - October 16: NGOs studies, French Language Study
October 16 -October 18 : Excursion to Kribi, pygmies as minorities
October 19 - October 21 : Preliminary ISP research Yaoundé
October 21 – November 8 : Excursion Ngaoundere and Maroua
November 8 – December 5 : Independent Study Project
December 6– December 13 : ISP presentation and Program Evaluation in Yaoundé
December 12 : End of scheduled program. Departure from Yaoundé
Oh P.S., www.allafrica.com is an excellent resource for current happenings in Cameroon as well as, well, all of africa!
Cheers,
A
