First Post In-Country

Greetings from Windhoek, Namibia. Hope everyone is gearing up for a killer new year. At the hostel I'm staying at we're having a braii, a type of Namibian barbecue. I don't know specifically what we're grilling, but I'm told there will be lots of meats. So. Pumped.

Before I forget I'd like to thank everyone who came out my going away party the other week. It was great seeing everybody one last time. And to those who I didn't get to see, my bad. I got pretty busy, I'm a last minute packer.

Getting here was exhausting to say the least. It involved me being dropped off at South Station in Boston (thanks Sara) then taking a bus to NYC, staying overnight at a hotel near JFK and then taking a 14 hour flight to Johannesburg the next morning, followed by a relatively quick one to Windhoek. The group of us got to the hostel we're staying at around 1 or 2 in the afternoon. Thankfully we didn't have anything to do yesterday, and today we had some introductory sessions and then went shopping.

Our schedule for the next few weeks is pretty full, with the majority of it involving teacher training. We'll have a couple of basic language sessions, health and safety, HIV/AIDS, etc. We'll also be doing a teaching practicum in the northern part of the country, fairly close to where my placement is. I'll be able to see Oshakati, where I'll most likely be doing most of my shopping, banking, etc.

The other volunteers are some of the genuinely nicest people I've met to date. Thing is, if you can survive a 14 hour flight with these people chances are you'll get along. Everyone seems extremely motivated to be here whether they have a background or degree in education or they're interested in international development, like me!

The next couple of weeks are pretty intimidating considering the amount of information that we need to retain in order to be successful, but I'm not worried...but that may just be a result of the jetlag.

Want to know how to say Happy New Year in Dutch? Caligaph Noo Yarr!

Jason

One Month and Placement

A few days ago I received an email from the Namibia Program Manager letting us know we have less than a month until we arrive in the Namibian capital, Windhoek. I am currently in the process of observing ESL classes at the middle school and high school in Durham. The biggest concern I have in Namibia is my performance as a teacher. A lot of former teachers and new ones at both schools have been extremely helpful with the advice and support they've given me.

I also recently received my placement. I'm going to be living in a town in the north-central part of the country called Omungwelume, located in the region known as Ohangwena. The capital of the north is Oshakati, only 30km away from Omungwelume. I'm going to be teaching English and computer skills at Eengedjo Secondary School, a hostel (boarding) high school. I will be living in a house on the school's campus with another volunteer who has been teaching in Namibia this past year and decided to extend for another. I couldn't be happier with my living situation or school, though I probably shouldn't judge anything until I actually arrive.

Thank you to everyone for your support. Still getting a fix on the date for a going-away party, if any questions or anything email me!

Here is where I'll be living

First Post!

Hi all, first of all welcome to my very first blog. As you hopefully know by now, I am moving to Namibia for one year at the end of December to teach English and a few other subjects in a Namibian school. I will be doing this through WorldTeach, a great organization that is committed to advancing education standards around the globe.

Namibia itself is a safe country, it's the second least densely populated country in the world and has a number of national parks with a variety of wildlife. One of my goals while there is to ride a cheetah.

One thing you may not have guessed about volunteering abroad is that it's expensive. WorldTeach provides a lot in terms of service (Flight, insurance, etc.) but there is a program cost. I'd really appreciate any amount to help get this paid for, whether it's $10 or $100 your contribution would be very much appreciated. To do so, go to www.worldteach.org and click on Donate Now and designate Jason Usher and Namibia Year 2012 Program as the recipient and program.  To those of you in the New England area, I may throw a going away party/fundraiser sometime before Christmas, so look forward to that!

I definitely have a lot to do before leaving, including tons of forms and shots to get. As far as specifics, I will find out my placement within a few weeks of departure. The first three to four weeks in Namibia is spent doing orientation in the capital Windhoek. This includes TEFL training, learning to get around in a developing country among other things. I really can't wait to do this and appreciate all of your moral/financial support!

Jason