Cooking on Campus

University of Lome, American Corner cookout this past summer

American Corner Fan Club

Today was the official end of the 07-08 calendar year of the American Corner at the University of Lome. Over the past 9 1/2 months a group emerged calling themselves the American Corner Fan Club. They claim to be addicted - to be more thoughtful about their approach to the global economy, to be prepared to compete, to be the future of their country, to be competent.... we had a celebration today that consisted of poems (thanks to Monique) songs (I played Redemption Song: Bob Marley on the guitar) speeches and a whole lot of love sent to Monique Maria Schmidt who will be leaving us next month. We will miss you - friend, colleague, confident. I am so proud of the work we have done at the AC. The students have shown that they are interested and engaged in the world. I can't wait to work with them again next year.

On that note - because this is the 1st year of the AC - we set what we call the 10 Year Challenge... a reunion of sorts to see what we have accomplished in the next 10 years... I look forward to owning up to my end of the bargain. Love you guys. See you in 10.

kb

p.s. A special thanks to the diplomatic community and Heather for coming out to support us.

Asian-Pacific American Heritage (part 1)

Some may know that May is Asian-Pacific American heritage month. Based on recommendations from previous panel discussions we decided to break this months panel into 2 sessions. Wednesdays session consisted of 2 Asian-Americans and about 2o Togolese students. The panel conversation was held in English and touched on personal insights to Asian-American experiences in the United States. Tomorrow we are looking forward to 5 panelists and close to 70 students.

African-American Experience

Every Thursday, I conduct a 2 1/2 hour non-credit conversation course at the University of Lome, Lome, Togo. This past Thursday we invited (and were lucky enough to have in attendance) 5 African-Americans come to our space at the American Corner above the library to discuss their personal experiences in the United States and their experiences here in Togo. Over 50 students attended. I ran the program talk show style, with our guests at the head table and me with a cordless microphone in the audience.

I hate to make sweeping generalizations but... everyone who participated walked away enlightened, excited and inspired. Many students (and panel) have expressed interest in repeating the event in the future.

The Adventures of Huckleburry Finn

Added to my regular schedule, I agreed to give a 2 hour lecture today on "The Adventures of Huckleburry Finn" to fourth year English Lit majors at the University of Lome. I must say - I even impressed myself. I was given the book Monday night and finished it by Wednesday afternoon... I've never finished a book that quick in my life! The lecture went well... and I had a lot of opportunities to talk about the South (Which some students took to referring to as "South America"!!!). In the end, the students said they were most impressed by the fact that I admittied when I didn't know the answer to a question - I was wondering why they were laughing!

Only regret - I got so excited about my first official University lecture - I forgot to take a photo. :( Maybe I'll go back and fake one. (haha)

Never Rock Fila - Only Rock Adidas

Guess who is on the home page of the US Embassy of Lome website...

"In celebration of International Education Week, the U.S. Ambassador to Togo, Mr. David B. Dunn, and the President of the University of Lome, Professor K. Ahadzi-Nonon, inaugurated the American Corner of the University library on November 16, 2007..."

Read about the event here.

Je ne mange pas le jambon!

Today I accepted a Fellowship sponsored by the Department of State and Georgetown University. The fellowship will send me to Lome, Togo (West Africa) for ten months to teach at L'Ecole Nationale d'Administration and American Corner at the University of Lome.

So... yeah. wow. I am scheduled to leave in September.