aepafrica Posted April 6, 2013 Posted April 6, 2013 Well...a little all over. Let's see....first experience ever was as an undergrad and I spent a summer in Kenya. Then I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Malawi. Then when I went back to grad school, I spent a summer in Ethiopia as a Coca-Cola World Citizens Fellow....thought I would do my masters there.....but ended up doing my master's in Uganda. Now, I'm moving down south again and in South Africa - the opportunity was too good to pass up. My sites are north of Durban. I've also had small amounts of time in Lesotho and Morocco (because of my husband). What about you, mcelone?
shakazulu Posted April 7, 2013 Posted April 7, 2013 lots of africa junkies on this site. Granted i've never been, but what draws you guy to it so much?
aepafrica Posted April 7, 2013 Posted April 7, 2013 lots of africa junkies on this site. Granted i've never been, but what draws you guy to it so much? Shakazulu, where are you hoping to go? I can only speak for myself but I love the landscape and the people. I know that sounds like an obvious/typical answer but it's the truth. Everywhere I've been has felt like home. I really enjoy the slow pace of life and the emphasis on family and connections. Despite always being busy when I'm overseas, I'm way less stressed than I am in the US. Once you been 'bitten by the bug,' it's difficult to stay away.
Lauren2013 Posted April 7, 2013 Posted April 7, 2013 As another Africa applicant, I couldn't agree more aepafrica! I hope one day I can become just as well travelled
aepafrica Posted April 7, 2013 Posted April 7, 2013 Me? Nowhere weird... just good ol' sunny Tajikistan. The jewel/Hawaii of Central Asia Shakazulu, your name had me fooled, admittedly. =) For curiosity's sake, what's your draw to central Asia? =)
mcelone Posted April 7, 2013 Posted April 7, 2013 @ aepafrica I did a semester in Durban, SA and went to Ghana last summer. I am still an undergrad so my travel opportunities have been limited!
aquam Posted April 8, 2013 Posted April 8, 2013 Anyone think/have any intel on whether we'll hear anything else this week? Would be nice to be able to move forward with plans for next year, either here or abroad.
aepafrica Posted April 8, 2013 Posted April 8, 2013 I have to call tomorrow to get specifics about alternatives for Zulu. If I learn anything further, I'll pass it along. =) My guess is that if those infamous budget emails are coming, they will be coming soon as April is flying by!
aepafrica Posted April 8, 2013 Posted April 8, 2013 Fair enough, shakazulu. =) For all, I spoke with the program manager who sent me the email last week. And as you would expect, he was pretty cryptic. I'm beginning to think that they train all IIE employees in this cryptic messaging. =) I fail to have any decent news to share other than that for better or for worse, all applicants will be notified about the award at the start of May....3 weeks away....and if I didn't need more stress, I have to find an alternative program and amend my budget by the end of the week! Oh the stress!!
djevojka Posted April 8, 2013 Author Posted April 8, 2013 Given how long ago it was that the scholarship apps received their budget emails, I'm beginning to think the process for the fellowships must have changed this year and cut out the budget emails. Well, last year folks were notified May 4 -- Just under a month to go!
foxnine671 Posted April 8, 2013 Posted April 8, 2013 I agree Decaf....seemed like it was too transparent. I was surprised that they sent those budget emails, essentially unofficially notifying people that they weren't chosen for the fellowship.
aepafrica Posted April 9, 2013 Posted April 9, 2013 @mcelone: since you were in Durban, do you have any suggestions of a language program/school in the area? I've put out all the leads I can think of at the moment.
mcelone Posted April 9, 2013 Posted April 9, 2013 @aepafrica I'm afraid I don't have much to offer you. I studied abroad with School for International Training (SIT); I don't know if you're familiar with this program, but I was pretty isolated from the academic community. I was with a bunch of American students, and not studying at a local university. I do know that UKZN is the big university in the city and they absolutely have isiZulu language programs, although I'm sure you know that already. Good luck!
aepafrica Posted April 9, 2013 Posted April 9, 2013 @aepafrica I'm afraid I don't have much to offer you. I studied abroad with School for International Training (SIT); I don't know if you're familiar with this program, but I was pretty isolated from the academic community. I was with a bunch of American students, and not studying at a local university. I do know that UKZN is the big university in the city and they absolutely have isiZulu language programs, although I'm sure you know that already. Good luck! Thanks so much! SIT is a stellar school so good for you! One of my colleagues who is a study abroad adviser suggested that program in some capacity too. I wonder if I should try to contact someone at SIT to see if they have any connections/leads in the province....hmmm...thank you! =)
mcelone Posted April 9, 2013 Posted April 9, 2013 Well we did have an intensive isiZUlu class with 1 teacher and 2 locals who were like teacher assistants; maybe they could help. Although SIT Durban is a little disorganized so I would not expect a quick answer.
kbarbat Posted April 9, 2013 Posted April 9, 2013 Hi, I was wondering if anyone knows about the orientation--- I applied for the scholarship for Bosnia and have a full-time job this summer; therefore is the orientation paid and do you have to attend? thanks for any information!
shakazulu Posted April 9, 2013 Posted April 9, 2013 Kbardat thats very first world/good problem to have. I wouldnt worry about it.
shakazulu Posted April 9, 2013 Posted April 9, 2013 Hi, I was wondering if anyone knows about the orientation--- I applied for the scholarship for Bosnia and have a full-time job this summer; therefore is the orientation paid and do you have to attend? thanks for any information! ok i did some research. i wouldn't accept anything less than a well paid for orientation in addition to my substantial, prestigious government grant either. we will be paid $40/hr and provided with all-included luxury accomodations at the mandarin oriental hotel in washington d.c. pretty chic huh? i'm stoked. hope that answered your question! nosleeptildoctorate 1
aepafrica Posted April 10, 2013 Posted April 10, 2013 I had asked the program manager about the orientation and when it would be - just in case I decide to gamble on a return ticket back to the US. He said that fellows do not have to go to the orientation...so I wonder if it's just mandatory for scholars??
Lauren2013 Posted April 10, 2013 Posted April 10, 2013 I think from what I saw in the other threads/online creeping, it's only mandatory for scholars. There is a symposium upon return for fellows.
bryan.jenkins Posted April 10, 2013 Posted April 10, 2013 Somehow didn't see this thread before. Also waiting to hear something for the fellowship. For me it's China, August 20th, no domestic component. I got the dates confirmation email but also haven't received anything else. Good luck to everyone, this wait's a killer.
shakazulu Posted April 10, 2013 Posted April 10, 2013 i think it's safe to say we aren't getting budget emails at this point
Lauren2013 Posted April 10, 2013 Posted April 10, 2013 Yeah probably true. But at least there are only about 3 weeks left!
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