Travel Information

My flights:

January 6, 2009: Phoenix-Baltimore 7:05am-3:18pm

January 8, 2009: Washington DC-Amsterdam 6:00pm-7:30am

January 9, 2009: Amsterdam-Entebbe 11:00am-9:00pm


Coming Home: Entebbe-Amsterdam 10:20pm-5:50am (May 5/6th)

Amsterdam-Washington DC 10:55am-1:35p (May 6th)

Washington Dulles-Chicago Midway 5:40p-6:45p (May 6th)

Chicago Midway-Phoenix 8:55p-10:45p (May 6th)


So my flight time is over 24 hours each way, not including the probably around 4 hour flight back to Phoenix and a minimum 4 hour layover in DC. The actual flight time may be a little less, because the arrival/departure times are in local times and there's an 8 hour time difference from DC to Uganda. But even knocking off those hours, it's gonna be close to 16 hours flying. Fun, huh?

My Packing List

What to Bring
-USP Information Guide
-Backpack/small bag to use for weekend/day trips; large purse/beach bag
-Bible, devotional book, journal
-5-subject notebook
-textbooks: Compassion, The Poisonwood Bible, Primal Vision, and Mere Discipleship
-scissors
-masking tape and duct tape
-basic sewing kit (needles, thread, pins, seam ripper)

-headlamp/small flashlight; crank flashlight recommended
-Camera and batteries (Lithium)
-keychain LED light
-flash drive
-LAPTOP
-wireless capability, working/long-lasting battery, up to date virus protection, Microsoft Word
-Check power cord: Input 100-240V is OK; 100-120V – need to buy a converter

-Small gifts (unique items – with insignia of home state, something I made)
-Photo album (12-24 pages) and extras to give to host family and other friends
-750 mL water bottle (Nalgene)
-any medications (for stomach, cold, painkillers, etc)

-Toiletry/cleaning supplies:
-travel-size toiletries as well as regulars
-not too much sunscreen/insect repellent
-stain stick
-hand sanitizer
-anti-itch cream
-TAMPONS
-contacts, solution, extra glasses, copy of prescription
-soap dish
-any/all hair products (pony tails, headbands, bobby pins, hairspray, etc.)
-Febreeze
-Downy Wrinkle Release

-Clothing:
-Protection from sun (hats?)
-4 skirts (knee-length or longer)
-2 dresses (knee-length or longer, cover shoulders)
-4-6 tops/blouses
-3-4 casual tops (2 collared, 2 t-shirts)
-1 pair shorts
-1 pair nice jeans
-1 pair nice slacks
-athletic wear (t-shirt, sports bra, athletic capris/pants)
-2 pairs comfortable, versatile sandals (1 pair Teva/Chaco and 1 pair nicer/leather)
-1-2 pairs tennis shoes/hiking shoes or boots
-1 pair nice, closed toed shoes to go with skirts
-1 long-sleeved t-shirt
-1 sweatshirt or fleece
-1 nice sweater or cardigan (to wear with church/class clothes)
-underwear
-bathing suit and board shorts
-2 versatile slips (1 shorts slip)
-nice jewelry
-long, modest nightgown
-pajama shirt and pants
-1 rain jacket


Dress Code: loose fitting clothing, cover knees at all times; dress professionally

General: African or western dresses, or blouses with skirt or formal trousers (no jeans). Blouses should cover the shoulders; skirts should be knee-length or below. Formal trousers should be belted at the waist and extending to the ankles.

Formal: Formal attire, which includes African or western suits for men and women or busutis and other cultural dress, is appropriate for Sunday worship and for other formal occasions in the University calendar, e.g., graduation, induction, special assemblies with dignitaries. Student leaders should dress formally when representing the student body at official meetings or events. Formal attire may be worn in class or in the library at any time.

Casual: Students and staff may wear informal attire – e.g., T-shirts, sleeveless blouses, jeans, capris and sports caps – either in residence and dining halls or outside so long as this attire confirms to the General Guidelines. They will be permitted to wear casual attire in the library, classroom and halls all evenings and Saturdays


USP Dress Expectations
Normal Dress (class, church, other daily functions-this is the default level of dress for USP -- think young business intern or chic teacher attire): skirts that cover the knees when walking/standing; dressy/trendy, modest top; loose, light dressy slacks; dresses (especially for church/more formal occasions); comfortable dressy shoes/sandals. As long as they are dressy, pants.
What not to wear: sleeveless tops, Capri pants, tops that do not always cover stomach/midriff; jeans, shorts, plastic or casual flip-flops.

Casual Dress (travel, around campus on weekends, plane trip): Capri’s, nice pants or jeans, nice t-shirts or other tops.
What not to wear: Plastic flip-flops are used as shower shoes here and when worn in public are considered rude. If you bring a pair of flip-flop style sandals, be sure that they are nicer than a solid color, plastic, or foam type. For women, make sure that your pants are not tight.

In your dorm only: t-shirts (long, short sleeve), tank-tops, sweatpants or shorts, flip-flops, slippers.

Athletic Events: loose-fitting athletic pants or Capris, t-shirts, tennis shoes and sports bra. Basketball or board shorts to wear with your swimsuit.


Tips:
-White can look very nice, but it easily stains and is more difficult to wash. -Solid colors that mix & match well rather than items that only go with 1 other thing
-If material wrinkles easily, realize that ironing will be needed because a non-wrinkled appearance is essential. If you prefer less hassle, bring clothing less prone to wrinkle.
-Stains will need much ‘elbow-grease,’ avoid fabrics that stain easily (i.e. 100% cotton).
-Shoes that can be easily cleaned or that repel dirt.
-Quick drying materials are recommended.
-No matter what you bring (assuming it meets the standards of appropriate dress), you will soon adapt to a limited wardrobe and washing by hand.
-One formal cocktail dress for wedding or other formal event. You could also just plan to have something made from African fabric early in the semester.
-Bring matching suits (Women mainly wear skirt suits, but pant suits are acceptable)

Information as of July

This is information (as I receive it) about Uganda, partially so I have it colected somewhere and partally for anyone who's interested in what I'll be doing second semester next year:

--The website's decription of my study abroad program: "The USP offers students a very personal encounter with this African success story, which has become an economic and public health model in its region. Another success story, Uganda Christian University (UCU), serves as the base of study for students in the USP. Set on the outskirts of the capital city Kampala, this rapidly growing institution brings USP students together with the UCU Honours College. Courses taught by local faculty in the English tutorial tradition will immerse students in a uniquely African education. Topics such as Christianity and Islam in Contemporary Africa, African Literature and East African History will present many insights into African life because of the guidance of faculty who live in and love Uganda and East Africa. Home stays, travel, service learning and daily interaction with Honours College students form the backbone of the USP experience. In addition to the core experiential course, students will choose from an approved selection of courses from the UCU Honours College to earn up to 16 hours of credit."


--My classes: Faith & Action in the Ugandan Context, African Literature, African Traditional Religions, Christianity and Islam in Contemporary Uganda, Understanding the New Testament, Understanding Ethics


--I supposedly have TMobile service (International Roaming), but have to check on costs and such when me leaving gets closer


--Uganda (Kampala) is 10 hours ahead of Arizona (i.e. right now it's 10:20 am here and 8:20 pm there)


--Daily Life (from the website): "At first, your daily life at Uganda Christian University (UCU) may seem filled with challenges: cold showers, basic meals and navigating frequent power outages to do homework and email. As the days turn into weeks, the differences begin to disappear as you share the challenges of university life with Ugandan peers. Attending lectures, learning to find books in the library and participating in community worship-even the most basic activities give you an insight into the lives of your classmates.

As a Uganda Studies Emphasis (USE) student you will spend the majority of the semester living on campus at UCU, rooming with other USP students, but sharing dorms with students from Uganda and elsewhere in East Africa. For two weeks of the semester, you will live with a Ugandan family near the university, coming for classes during the day and spending the evening learning first hand about culture, politics and religion. These families adopt you as their own daughter or son and you will find yourself attending traditional introduction ceremonies, weddings, burials and other events that make you a brief, but full participant in these communities.

You will also participate in service project with the goal of both assisting and learning from Ugandan institutions dedicated to serving Ugandans. Placement locations include orphanages, a physical rehabilitation center, a primary school, a school for the blind, and a church Sunday school and children's library.

If you are willing to step outside of your comfort zone, there are many opportunities to be involved in campus life. Even though you are only here for a semester, USP students are welcomed in worship groups, athletic teams, and fellowship groups from the different regions of Uganda."

--Traveling: "Although the academic schedule leaves little time for independent travel, the USP schedule is filled with opportunities to experience and learn from East Africa. The semester generally includes a week-long trip to Rwanda, five days living and learning with a family in a rural Ugandan village, a weekend that focuses on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uganda and a visit to groups doing community based peace and reconciliation work.

Because we closely follow the US Embassy's recommendations for travel in East Africa, all trips are tentative and subject to strict safety evaluation. If you want to travel independently, we recommend that you change your ticket to stay after the program dates.

In addition to your academic travel, home stay experiences and time on campus with Ugandan peers, there are many other opportunities for cultural engagement. Field trips related to your core courses are offered throughout the semester that expose you to a wide variety of religious, political, and cultural aspects of the country. Traditional dance ceremonies, art exhibits, historic palaces and the site where early Ugandan Christians were martyred are just some of the significant aspects of Uganda culture experienced by USP students."

--I'm going through Best Semester, which is affiliated with Biola, so all my financial aid and such transfers. The total cost for a semester in Uganda (inc. tuition, room and board, and a flight out of DC) is $11,150 - which is way cheaper than a semester at Biola.

--I know 2 other Biola kids (Amy Armstrong and Geoff) who got in for the same semester, which is pretty cool.

--I'm leaving Arizona on January 7th and get back on May 9th (tenatively, depending on the exact dates of my flights and such)

--I'm pretty sure the dress code means I'll be wearing long (ankle length) skirts the whole time, so I'm going to need to buy a few of those

--It's 9,171 miles from Phoenix, AZ to Kampala, Uganda.

--I have to get shots for yellow fever and polio. I also have to take pills for typhiod and malaria pills weekly for 2 weeks efore I go, throughout the semester, and for a month after I get back.

--The websites for the program are:

http://www.ugandastudies.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

http://www.bestsemester.com/contentID.2003/main.asp

Vaya con Dios