Orientation

Hey folks –

So, this is what limited internet access is like. Oddly enough, it feels kind of nice. I mean, I’m not going through any withdrawals or anything. But that’s because they’ve been keeping us pretty occupied for orientation. So let me tell you a little about that…

To sum up.. Orientation has been pretty awesome. Today (Sunday) is the last day, we have to start doing school stuff tomorrow. Over the past week, through various trips into town, games in the common room, dining together, and even a dance, I’ve gotten to know many other students and have become very comfortable at Waterford. We did our first community service (commserve) project a couple days ago, my group went to a primary school out in rural Swaziland and painted on of their more run-down buildings. It was pretty satisfying, especially when the principal came in and gave our group a big smile.

So yeah, it’s almost like camp. It’s probably going to hit me really hard when we have to start doing work, and it’s still sinking in that I live here.

All the people are phenomenal. And as an American I feel kind of ignorant, speaking only one language and having little knowledge of the political happenings in other nations. But nobody is snide or rude about it, and I’m learning a lot already about cultural differences and similarities.

Over the course of orientation, we’ve also had two people talk to us about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Swaziland and Southern Africa. The statistics, especially for Africa, are astounding. What’s made me the most upset, though, is that the Swazi government subsidizes the cost of ARVs (AIDS medication) so that it can be free for the public, but many people still suffer and die for the simple reason that they cannot transport themselves to the clinics to pick up the drugs. Sometimes its because they live too far away, others because they don’t have sufficient funds for a taxi. It’s just soo frustrating, to think that a substance that would make their lives so much better is just within reach, and something as simple as transportation makes it impossible for them to get it.

School starts tomorrow, ish. We have a week to tour classes and find out what we want to take, kind of dip our toes in the water. So far this is what I think I want to take:

HL Math

HL English A1

HL Biology

HL Social and Cultural Anthropology

SL SiSwati AB

SL Peace and Conflict Studies

I’ve heard four highers (HLs) is kind of like… a bad idea. We’ll see, I may drop down to three and three or keep it where it’s at, depending on how many hours of sleep I lose.

Oh hey, and I finally got my mailing address. Here it is -

Eli Medvescek

Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa

Emhlabeni Residence

PO Box 52

Mbabane, Swaziland

Southern Africa

One last note – I’ve decided to start updating the blog on Sundays only, because, in the words of a student, “You could send a carrier pigeon to Mars before you could get an email out at WK.”

Perhaps an exaggeration… but the internet is pretty slow.

Having a great time, and missing you all tons. I put a billion photos on my walls so I can see your smiling face everyday (except, you know, internet creepers)

Lots of love

Eli