By Alexa Leith from Westminster College
When approaching this trip, I had no idea what to expect other than I’d be living in Northern Botswana for 84 days with 10 strangers. I had no idea the extent of the impact that this trip has and will continue to have on me. I just spent my first Thanksgiving away from my family with a group that I’d consider my Botswana family. We had our Round River crew, the Sankoyo Boys, and more come to our camp to take part in our grand Thanksgiving meal. I felt very lucky to share a part of our culture with the people who have given an immense amount of time to teach and show us theirs. We rallied to create a fun experience for our guests and to experience a glimpse of the seasons passing back in the States for ourselves. The entire experience made me feel so very thankful for the opportunity to be studying abroad in Botswana surrounded by people that I adore.
After our Thanksgiving feast, we prepared for our last trip out into the bush. It’s November and the seasons have begun to change from dry to rainy, and the physical environment in Botswana has changed drastically. On our trip to Mababe, the roads we’d travelled countless times were unrecognizable. The once dusty roads have turned into huge mud puddles and the woody mopane scrub have turned into luscious greens so dense you can’t even see 10 meters off the road. The change in seasons felt almost symbolic of the connections we’ve established and the development we’ve all had as a group throughout the semester. I feel as Botswana is flourishing into a vibrant fertile environment, as I’m solidifying friendships that I know will last a lifetime.
Throughout the last 12 weeks we’ve endured various physical, emotional, and mental stresses that have tested us as a group. Our group’s resilience never ceased to amaze me when we tackled problems head on and with open minds. This group has flourished into something so incredibly unique, and I feel so grateful for each and every person involved. These folks have created an incredible experience that I’ll never forget. I felt more at home here in Botswana than I ever expected to, and that’s thanks to all the wonderful people that have contributed to this program and that I have been lucky enough to share this experience with.
