Language School

I'm nearly halfway through a 3 week Swahili language program--and loving almost every lesson! After nearly a year in Kenya, I've learned some Swahili and understand quite a bit, but have resorted to using mainly English rather than attempting to use my broken Swahili because it's... well, easier. I started a full-time job pretty soon after moving to Kenya, so never got the concentrated time to learn Swahili as I needed. Almost everyone I work with speaks great English (most as their 3rd language), so I've been communicating adequately... but after a visit from NMSI's executive team, we all agreed that there is just something you miss if you don't know the local language. So, here I am! 

I'm in class from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm everyday and then have homework in the evenings. It's interesting to be in school again! I am really enjoying learning and putting things together with the language as I learn each day. There have been many "ah-hah!" moments when I learn a new rule or word that explains something I've heard before or helps me understand why they say something the way they do.

I decided to come to Tanzania to study because they speak proper Swahili here, where as in Kenya we speak more of a convenient version! I won't bore you with the details, but basically here in TZ they use the rules when speaking, which makes learning the language make a ton more sense as you reason through the rules and patterns. 

My classmates are great--lots of international workers based in East Africa, mainly from Europe. In my class there is a German, Dutchman, and Belgian! I'm the only one who speaks English as a first (and only) language--where my classmates are learning their 3rd or 4th language. I get to translate things from Swahili into English for them sometimes to help with the wording, it makes me feel special to be needed =) In our program there are people from France, New Zealand, Holland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, and the US. I'm learning a lot about Europe... and enjoying meeting new people who are also eager to learn about this new part of the world we are temporarily calling "home."

And now I'm off to finish homework...