The Constant Balance

The paradox in being a foreigner is never far away from thought. I just spent yesterday classic Senegalese style, but with my own American-ness coloring my experience.

My afternoon is what describes my frustrations and yet what I have also come to cherish in this country. The plan had been to call up our international studies advisor to try and figure out our credits transferring [with the end of the semester approaching, the new University system here, and a very inflexible and ignorant discussion professor, minor crises have arisen…]. After our talk with her, we were then going to go speak to Baydallaye to continue to negotiate our never-ending schedules and education methods here.

So in the US, this plan would have maybe taken 1 hour. However, instead of everything going according to plan, we ended up resigning ourselves to an entire afternoon of waiting for people to show up at their offices. Normally in the US, this would be a complete waste of time and every effort would be made to fit something else in while waiting around. While I may not have huge obligations here, I still feel the habitual pull to constantly be doing something productive, like studying. However much I was feeling frustrated by the unreliability of the people who are supposed to be in charge, and the fact that time frames of others are so rarely thought of, I was able to relax throughout the process sit and eat some Thiakry with Jill (who was my partner throughout this escapade), and take the “wasted” day in stride. Looking back, I realize that this feeling is one of assimilation. Do as the Romans do. When faced with slow-paced, unreliable life, all one can do is react in the same way. Hence, one finds acceptance in an afternoon where nothing was resolved or accomplished, yet it was relaxed and enjoyed with a friend. I’ve found that the mentality where it is completely accepted to spend a day with not a whole lot accomplished (by “American” standards), can be refreshing after the high-charged atmosphere which is such cultural norm in the US. Life here is simple. Take it as you will; there is both good and bad to it. But in terms of cultural assimilation-in order to cope with the differences in lifestyles-I have taken to giving myself one goal for the day, no matter how small. This somehow allows me to deal with the inability to charge through each day with a full plate, checking off multiple projects and programs, and ending it feeling like there was a reason for being here.

As just one of many reasons, this cultural occurrence lets me understand on a micro-scale why development of a country can be so difficult. How do you keep the good aspects of taking the time of day for someone and flexibility which are so deeply rooted in Senegalese values, and move forward into an environment where schedules are respected, working hard doesn’t include one hour attaaya breaks to every two hours of work, and organization is an expectation, not an added bonus? This question comes down to the most important lesson I am learning about studying abroad. Life is about balance. Studying abroad is about finding that balance within yourself and searching for a way to balance everything around you. Everyone searching for the best method and constantly adjusting in accordance with that; for this is what learning about new cultures is about. I am deciding for myself what is so great about the US, and also what is great about Senegal. Here I am, growing through my experience. But really, I am living my life here on this day to day basis, constantly trying to reconcile my two worlds, sometimes succeeding, sometimes not.