Reflecting on the Semester and Thinking about the Future

 My excitement for this summer continues to grow as I research my topic. After having anticipated my topic for the whole semester, actually having it makes this experience seem much more real. I will be working with the Zambian Governance Foundation on research regarding local philanthropy in the context of the Zambian Diaspora. When I first received my topic, I was confused on how to begin research because the description given by ZGF was very vague. However, I was able clarify my topic with ZGF via email as well as share my research interests with them. My partner and I both expressed to ZGF that our areas of interest are in public health. ZGF responded to our email with some ways that we could include our interest in public health into the research topic such as looking at the primary healthcare needs of different communities and how local philanthropy can help support these needs. I am grateful that ZGF allowed me to include my own research interests into my original topic because it makes me feel much more passionate and excited about the project. However, due to just receiving this new topic focus, I must conduct more preliminary research before I can determine my next steps.

It is hard to say where my research is going yet, but I am thinking there will be some form of a comparative analysis involved. My topic of local philanthropy is a new concept in Zambia that ZGF has been researching and trying to build some sort of structure to foster its growth. Because there are no structures in place already, it will be helpful to look at other countries’ implementation of local philanthropy systems and explore the ways in which those structures would or would not work in Zambia.

In terms of my personal learning goals, I believe I have successfully been able to complete my goal of learning about Zambian culture and history through the pre-departure seminar. I had many opportunities to learn about Zambian history including first-hand information given by Professor Ndulo in his lecture. I was also able to learn about different aspects of Zambian culture then and now through the PowerPoint presentations given by my classmates as well as through the research I did for my own presentation. As I arrive in Zambia, I hope to continue to challenge myself to keep my personal learning goal of an open mind. So much of the advice I have heard regarding this trip is to learn from unexpected situations or when things go wrong. Thus, in order to do this, I must remain calm and treat situations like this as a learning experience.

Additionally, I hope to grow as a global citizen. This will require me to take any opportunity in Zambia to get to know the local people and understand the culture from a first-hand perspective. I will also be conscious of my Western influences when researching and writing my paper as I want my research to best reflect and represent systems in Zambia, rather than in America.

As of right now, I am anxiously awaiting finals to end so I can resume researching my topic and begin packing for my trip. I can’t believe we will be departing in three short weeks!