Getting back into Swahili

~ The main campus of MS-TCDC from the reception desk ~ My first 2-year term in Kenya and Tanzania was supposed to be dedicated to language and cultural learning. Two years is almost enough time to really become comfortable in a new language and culture. Unfortunately, the plan changed and it's been all I can do to try and squeeze some language learning in between everything else on my plate. So with only a few months left before home service, Krista and I decided I should go back to language school for an intensive course to give me the necessary nudge.

After a bit of research we decided on MS-TCDC, a school of Danish origin that focuses on training in development studies as well as language learning and a variety of other topics, located near Arusha, Tanzania. I've just arrived here for an intensive intermediate Swahili course. The facility is phenomenal, with well-manicured lawns, fresh and clean rooms with excellent daily housekeeping services, exceptionally good food, campus-wide wireless, a basketball court, tennis court, volleyball court, and a gym full of exercise equipment! My family is remaining in Nairobi while I'm here for two weeks and I already have the college feel, with a detailed schedule, a cafeteria, and over 100 students currently on the campus for ~ My dorm-style room with desk, lamp, and private bath ~ a variety of courses, seminars, and functions. It's a pretty cool feeling although it's going to be very hard to be away from my family.

Every day I'll live according to the following schedule:

7:30am - wake up
8:00am - breakfast
8:30am - morning class
10:00am - morning tea
10:30am - late morning class
12:30pm - lunch
12:45pm - nap
2:00pm - afternoon class
4:30pm - exercise (skipping afternoon tea)
5:00pm - study, keep up with urgent email
7:00pm - dinner
8:30pm - study 'till bedtime

~ The tables in the dining facility are set for lunch and dinner ~ The tea-time thing is very common for schools in East Africa and it's a nice break although having those extra cups of milky tea with ginger and masala spices and at least one spoonful of sugar do tend to add quite a few extra calories without you even noticing! I'll be skipping the afternoon tea and heading straight for the gym. To keep me focused I'm really trying to take a nap in the afternoon too - just like my boys do back at home!

We have 8 students in our class and they'll break us into two groups for the duration of the course, switching teachers after the first week. Pray for me!

-Shauen