Oh man… n na dookuwo mu karandirila le it

Literally translating to – Oh man… my work is teaching.

We are now successfully ending the third week of classes at The University of The Gambia Fall semester 2010. Before I pick up where I left off last time (explaining how school could have already started yet I did not know for sure what I was teaching), I would like to update you on the actual status of my schedule.

Turns out I am NOT teaching a Pre Calculus class… or a calculus class for that matter. Now I am supposed to be starting a College Algebra class! Yay! Still exciting… except that I don’t yet have a book with which I can teach (We are however working on remedying that fact through several different avenues. It is a small problem at this time compared to the fact that I do not really have students). Moving on.

So what happened was that first the University decided they did not need another teacher to cover Calculus at this time so that class was out for me. Second, we received an entirely new teacher to help where needed, in BOTH the math and computer science departments. This new teacher was going to take a College Algebra class, but then he heard of my Pre Calculus class and preferred it to College Algebra. I actually have no real preference so I took the College Algebra to make the whole situation easier. And all of this could happen after the semester had started because neither of these specific classes had actually started.

So right about now you should be thinking that it is great that I, and the University, got two whole new class so quickly!… but, among other things, you should also be wondering why I do not have any students. Well let me tell you. Until now the lowest level math class offered at UTG was calculus. All students started at the calculus level directly from high school (maybe it was different a few years ago, but I actually have no idea). Theoretically, this semester, they have an option.

Now UTG is offering both College Algebra and Pre Calculus classes for students who do not feel that there math foundation is strong enough to start at the calculus level. However, these two lower level math classes are not offered as credit classes. Any student who takes these courses takes them as a result of their own desire to be better in math and ultimately pass calculus. In the future the ideal situation would be for UTG to recommend certain students start in specific math classes, but at this time that process has not been developed. Anyway… so the reason that I have no students at this time is because A) the class was only listed day before yesterday and B) most students have not realized they should even take the class and have instead jumped into calculus. I am hoping that in a week or so several students will drop calculus and come down to my class, but overall I am thinking of College Algebra as an “experiment class” for the semester. Now that I know what needs to happen, and when, I will be in a better position to recruit students for next semester! I think this still counts as a win.

Another change! So. Most of the teaching assistants that I thought would be helping me teach CPS 111 a few weeks back are now no longer my assistants. UTG decided they could not afford to pay fourth year assistants when they had graduate assistants who were not fully utilized. I think that this makes complete sense; sadly it just occurred a little late in the semester which threw me off for a moment. As a result I am now working with two graduate assistants and one other teacher (the same one that is teaching pre calc) to teach 8, 3 hour long, CPS 111 lab sections. We are each covering two sections per week (I teach on Tuesday from 9AM – 12PM and 2:30PM – 5:30PM) and I am still directing the syllabus, course content, final exam etc. My slides for the first class were pretty awesome. Not going to lie. I know the students can’t wait for next weeks lecture on hardware, software and networks.

So, best question yet… why, and how, do instances such as these happen in the first place? Well here are only a few reasons that I have picked up on thus far:

1) UTG is still new (established only ten years ago) so they are working to get all of the processes sorted out. At this time they literally just do not have the systems in place to complete class lists and registration in time for the start of the semester. There are no class lists and descriptions, and no online systems for students to reference. The lists of available classes are actually posted outside on the walls on pieces of paper.
2) There are not enough professors. Historically, in order to receive a masters degree or higher, a Gambian would need to leave the country and eventually return to teach… or take a different position such as banking etc. which would also probably be much higher paying. At the end of the day there just are not enough people….yet.
3) UTG started classes during Ramadan. Many students and teachers will just NOT come to class during this time. End of story.
4) UTG is trying to grow in almost every direction. Every year they are creating new classes (e.g. Pre Calculus and College Algebra), departments (e.g. Management Information Systems is a new department they are creating this year) and process (e.g. they are in the process of creating a master list of courses and course descriptions for students to reference) all at the same time. Everyone is very busy.

Overall, I still must say that I very much enjoy the work that I have been doing and the environment within UTG. It is very exciting to see all the new developments in such a short period of time. I also have much more flexibility when it comes to the work that I want to do, I have a lot of freedom to start new classes or change existing classes and I have the opportunity to make in impact in so many different areas if I choose (though I am still worried about the whole “long term sustainability” issue).

I think from reading about my current situation at the start of this post you can see that there are definitely a few frustrations that come with working in an unstructured and ever changing environment such as this, but I think in the long run the investment will definitely be worth the return. And if anything, at the end of the day if I get stressed out I think my cell phone display says it best “Don’t worry, be happy!!”.

Love,
Samantha

PS I am writing this blog from the comfort of my desk in my air conditioned office which still blows my mind. It is SO cold in here :D Pics to come soon.

Things that American people living in Africa want

So a few people that love me for some crazy reason have been asking what they can send me way over here in Africa. As a result I have decided to create what, in really lame circles, is known as a “living document”. I will update this list as time goes on so that it will always be pretty much up to date and can always be used as reference.

Before reading this list, please know that these are only suggestions. I am sure that you have many creative ideas for things that I would love, but have not thought of. Additionally, I would be happy to receive pretty much ANYTHING. If you want to send me an envelope full of sour patch kids I am alright with that (but I would recommend a zip lock bag to keep the ants away).

Also, the reason that it is so great to send me things is because a lot of the stuff that is sold in America is either A) Not sold here at all so I really miss it a lot or B) Sold here, but only in Banjul and is really expensive and C) Because I really really like getting stuff in the mail and it makes me extremely happy…

Finally, the best way to send things is to buy one of those standard rate boxes and to ship it via airmail. You can also buy smaller padded envelopes to be sent via airmail. The main point is that you really should send using airmail or I may never see it :(

Alright, here goes –
UPDATED ON 11/04/2010
• Combination lock
• Pens
• Bobby pins
• Head bands and braclets
• Fly swatter
• Aveeno face wash
• Tooth paste, floss, Listerine
• Knives and other cooking utensils such as spoons and spatulas and measuring cups and teaspoons/tablespoons
• Tupperware is a good way to store things
• French press coffee maker (will be really hard to send)
• Blender
• Pictures!
• Small speakers for my computer to play music
• Dry erase markers
• American food such as (I would really love some of this right about now):
- Crystal light drink packets are amazing (or any other brand really)
- Starbucks VIA instant coffee!
­ - Tea and hot chocolate with marshmallows
- Refried beans, black beans and pinto beans (Why don’t they have these here? I have no idea)
­ - Thai peanut sauce
­ - Stir fry sauce
- Seasoning packets such as Ranch dressing and Lipton French Onion dip
­ - Fried rice seasoning
­ - Falafel mix (Mom, you know the brand that you made before)
­ - Lipton rice and noodle packets
­ - Dried Fruit – Cranberries, pineapple, blueberries
­ - Granola
­ - Granola bars
­ - Cheese! – If you can find a type that makes it in the mail :D
­ - Crackers and cheese nips
- Pesto
­ - Sour candies! I love these :)
­ - Any other type of dry foods that can last in the mail

If there is something you want from here don't be shy to tell me what it is and I will see what I can do!

A tip on sending boxes of food is to remove the contents of the box and put it into a plastic bag instead so that it takes up less space.

Finally, school supplies such as markers, note cards, pens, folders, staplers, paper clips, tape, books are really hard to come by in this country. If you want to send some specifically to me or if you would like to send something and have me make a donation on your behalf please do so. On that note, if you want to send anything and have me donate it on your behalf please do, you don’t even have to include anything for me. The only item that you cannot send to me for purposes of donation is money! Please do not send money to donate to an organization or school etc. If you want to do so you need to go directly through Peace Corps.

Abaraka bake! Jere jef!
(Mandinka and Wolof)

Love,
Samantha