1 Year Left

I got kind of tired of my blog mid-way through Study Abroad and took quite a hiatus. I've been back in the States now for 6 months and have finished up my junior year. I took a great class last semester called Decolonization and Nationalism in Africa. Definitely my favorite class of the year. Looking back on my three years, two of my favorite classes- material wise- have been classes that I took to fulfill my African Studies concentration requirements. On top of Organic Chemistry, Calc II and Physics (and yes, everyone has advised me against this schedule), I've decided I'm going to write a thesis on economic prosperity in Botswana. It's my way of legitimizing my undergraduate career that has thus far, I feel, been a kind of jack-of-all-trades minus the jack, and has really lacked any substantial focus. As many of you probably know, I hate economics. I don't understand it and until this past semester, it continued to be a thorn in my side (and the contributor to my first collegiate C as a final grade). However, Botswana's economy is absolutely fascinating as it continues to rise, year after year, while the rest of Africa is mostly stagnant or worse off than Europeans left it after decolonization. I want to explore why this truth is (and it ain't all diamonds and DeBeers, folks). I have a great advisor who is really passionate about Africa and was actually my professor my freshman year. She is full of great ideas and is there more as a guide than a critic. My thesis is the number one thing I'm looking forward to next school year.

As for my summer, besides researching for my thesis and sleeping 8-10 hours a day, I am putting together applications, letters of intent, a resume, and lining up recommendation authors for two post-grad options: Teach for America and Peace Corps. I have always (lent/leaned?) more toward Peace Corps because I really want to get involved in HIV/AIDS activism but right now, TFA is looking like a better option. A real salary will help me pay off my loans plus I can stay on my medical track more easily by staying in the country. I know TFA is wayyyyy more selective and from some of the quite depressing blogs I have read, a LOT more challenging. This is not at all to discredit the Peace Corps because living in 110 degrees with no A/C, no landline within a 50 km radius, and no running water or electricity is obviously no walk in the park. I leave my fate up to God. I will apply to both, give it my all, and whatever happens is meant to be.