Hey all back home and from all different places. Thanks for all the care and concern. Cameroon has not been affected by any violence or unrest, and it remains peaceful here.
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Second semester here at school has been on full force, and that is partly why I have been away from this blog. My apologies. I've started English courses for technical students from the Higher Technical Teacher's Training College (HTTTC). Last semester, I assisted in English courses for the general teaching school, the Higher Teacher's Training College (HTTC), most of whom were Anglophone students who study English literature. So nowadays I have English courses with 2 different colleges on the same campus and my time is split between Francophone and Anglophone students.
I enjoy these technical English courses a lot more since Francophone students make up the majority of the technical school and they desire to learn English. They study Economics, Management, Computer Science, Accounting, Civil, Electrical & Power Engineering etc. They are committed, they want to soak up every aspect, and they pour over the grammar like crazy. They want to learn how to master English, how to use English in their field and expand on their vocabulary. They are detail-oriented and succinct by nature. On the other hand, teaching grammar to English Lit majors is received with a different attitude, and it's slightly more tough. It's two different ways of teaching too, like apples and oranges. Ah well so it is :) I wanted to work with this niche of francophone students from the start, and the opportunity has finally come this semester.
On a sweet side note: It is MANGO SEASON!!! oh yes. A mango a day keeps the doctor away. If only they'd ripen faster, I would make this my personal motto.
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A snapshot of daily life here... in a conversation:
(I was in a small store and just bought a large bottle of water to drink)
Store owner: "You look so tasty."
Me: "Pardon me, sir?"
Owner: "You're very tasty!!"
Me: "...." (confused. not sure how to respond.)
Owner: "The way you're drinking that water you must be tasty."
Me: "Ahh, yes, yes. I am very thirsty!"
A little misunderstanding that we can chuckle about, and also my reminder for me not to take things too seriously. There is something I can find everyday to laugh about.
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Another recent highlight was an AIESEC seminar held at the National Polytechnic School in Bambui. I was invovled in AIESEC at U of I, so I was stoked that it was found here in Cameroon. It's an international student-based organization focused on internship exchanges and leadership development. More info can be found here http://www.aiesec.org/
The AIESEC chapter in Bamenda is still growing and decided to host their first event, a seminar called "Entrepreneurship and the Future for Young Cameroonians." It was two days long over a Friday and Saturday April 1 & 2. Participants who attend the entire thing receive a certificate of completion at the end. I was able to present a short power-point on discovering one's own entrepreneurial skills. woot!
I don't know why we've all posed with our arms like that... but here's a picture with some Board of Advisers, an AIESEC national staff member and the local community president (first on the left in white).
One of my favorite parts of the conference, hanging out with a lil @iesecer who also happened to be my sidekick!
@iesec gala night with winners of the Mr. and Miss @iesec competition
