experience.

what is just as interesting to me as trying to grasp the african culture, is watching the other westerners interact and grasp the same thing.

i've found there are several ways people experience such a different culture. some must come with a totally different perception on what it will be and spend the majority of the time on the defense. they complain endlessly and discuss what they miss about home despite how short time had passed since they left. they battle the differences instead of accepting what they see.

while all volunteers and travelers come with different backgrounds, there seems to be several levels from this "defense" point where by which the new culture is embraced. the furthest point from defense would be those travelers that "go native". this occurs when westerners walk around a bit like mayors of their new-found city, dating locals and putting themselves in the middle of both good and bad cultural traditions. this is obviously a risky way to embrace new culture, but at least they will leave with powerful stories on how africa changed them.

isn't that the point of learning about another culture? to change your perspective, beliefs or world view? i would find it hard to believe anyone would sign up for an extended trip in a third world country without the intention of gaining something new.

those that come and fight against the differences can't expect to leave with much. if you come here thinking it wouldn't be hot, or that you wouldn't be treated differently - read a book before you book your next trip. you will go home satisfied to be where you left, learning little about yourself and the world you live in.

the more we open ourselves up and embrace different languages, traditions and ways of thinking - the more we in turn change ourselves.

i watch people walk through the slums, staring at the hundreds of families living in mud huts and listen to them complain that they're hungry. or those that don't understand why their school is so poorly organized. one volunteer tried to convince a mother to not take her daughter to the market before school because that made her tired and therefore it was difficult for the volunteer to teach.

we cannot expect to change another culture. we can only accept the way it is, live it, breathe it and try to understand it.

the minute we let go of "our world"... of "our ways" and "our view" is the minute we finally get it. we leave with photos, stories and homemade crafts - but what will really stay with us forever is the experience of allowing ourselves to become absorbed.