Thread: Africa

If I had the choice, I'd go down under to Australia or New Zealand.

Congrats!!! I know a girl from Baylor who is up for it as well... but I hope you get it!!!

Will you be studying the economics of the country?

My youngest brother is an Anthropological Linguist but he conducts his research in South America so no help there in picking a country.

Good luck!

Well, I'm just now applying for it, so hopefully they'll consider me!!

I'll be studying governmental policy most likely with respect to development. I hate economics, but I'm sure I'll have to get into that a bit too.

I'm an anthropology minor. I'm getting really into it too. I'm more into the cultural anthro but it's all good. Tell your bro I said hey!

Hey my minor was Anthropology too!!! I actually studied more Archeaology but they didn't have a specific minor for it.

Anthropology will definitely help you in the area you are looking at... you've got to understand the people if you are going to understand their policy

exactly!!!

...usually, archaeology is considered a subfield of anthropology. I'm not sure how it was set up at your university though..

No it is, you're right!

My Univ was conducting a dig on some abandoned Civil war slaves quarters and I worked mostly on that. But I did study the Mayans and Aztecs too.

that's so awesome. I'd love to do some sort of participant-observation of a group of people. Maybe I'll be able to do something of that sort IF I were to get this scholarship...

Good luck Freeman. Hope it all works out for you.

Thanks man, I appreciate it!

Yeah, I'd go to Africa and find out why they can't stop fuckin eachother and spreading god damned AIDS around. And why they think they need to have more kids even though they can't feed the 10 they already have. When I finish I'll arrange for a nuke to slip out of a silo and clear the way for a Walmart.

Originally posted by Freeman
ok folks, opinions here. I'm applying for the Fulbright Scholarship which, if I get it, means I get to travel to the country of my choice to study and do research (for a year I think). I'm looking into African states, mainly sub-Saharan region. I'm interested in development issues of this region. If you oculd study in another country, what would it be? Anyone else interested in Africa like I am?

I doubt I'll get this because so many people apply, but it is worth the shot and just to be considered would be good I guess..

Humm I thought Africa was a continent not a country. If I had a choice I'd say Italy. Nude beaches ya know.

It is a continent silly, but I am going there and need to pick a country WITHIN Africa to go to.

I like the new avatar fire!

So, my school has decided to go ahead with the applicaton process for me. if anyone wants to check out the scholarship's website here's the link..

www.iie.org

Right now I'm trying to find good references to right me letters and decide a country and topic to study..Tanzania and Uganda are looking good so far because their main language is English...I know a little French, but not enough.

I definatly wouldnt be heading to lybiria, somolia, or congo region.... Unless you want to get shot, and get a rpg stuffed up your bootay.

Well, although Somalia is in Eastern Africa, I won't be going there. The country has to be on the program list, and it is definitely not. Liberia is on the other side of Africa and Congo in the middle. I'm looking at Uganda or Tanzania right now, with the possibility of Kenya or Ethiopia (although those have more competition for grants). I need a topic or issue to study that is relevant to political science and/or anthropology. So, I am thinking of studying the democratization of a country. Or maybe even study how culture affects politics in a certain state. We'll see, anyone else know antying about this region and have any ideas?

I know that Tanzania is the only place you can get Tanzanite... they make jewelry with the stones.

I'd be interesting to see if and how the Tanzanite mines effected the economy there.

..that would be interesting.

Also, Tanzania is where Mt. Kilamanjaro (Spelling?) is. Everyone thinks it's in Kenya, but it's not!

Another plus for Tanzania then!

damn straight, AND in general it is supposed to be beautiful and the people are supposed to be really super nice there.

I'm sorry Freeman, but I'm more then concerned about the Africa thing bro. I don't want to sound like an alarmist but without getting into debth, Africa is not on the 'one of the best places to visit if your an Amercian" military/political Brochures. If I were you, I'd contact my local Congressmen and tell him your interests then ask for the statistics on American hostages taken in Africa annually.

I've checked into that cuz I know people at the state dept. The countries I want to go to are respectable for that sort of thing. It's more of a problem in Northern Africa and Western Africa. In fact, from what I hear, people in Tanzania are extremely nice.

yes I understand that the citizens of Tanzania are nice but it's not those I'm concerned with. the extremists and small factions that roam all over looking for petite white boy Americans like you to snatch up and try to Deal. If I were you I'd ask your contacts at the state department to give you any stats directly related to your areas of desire ie: Tanzania. See if the USA has any big buisness interests in that area. Where American Oil companies etc are present, your a target. this is fact. You would be surprised if you knew how many american business men and overseas students are snatched every year for ransoms. Many times they collect money and then kill the victim anyway. this information is not made public because it would hurt American foreign interests. For example, If you were an executive working state side for Mobile oil and the company required your services in a foreign office for 6 months or so and you knew that your past 2 predicessors were both kidnapped, how eager would you be to go?

By the way that last example is a true story, Different Oil company though and not Africa. both Execs were "luckily" released unharmed but not always the case.

I understand that there is risk, but there are risks with just about everything. And, countries that are too dangerous are not part of the scholarship program. People go here in this program every year and there are no problems. Africa is just an interesting place to me because of my major and other things I am interested in and also because this area of Africa speaks mainly English.

yes I hear you I just want to make sure you checked everything out 1st. You should know me by now Freeman. I'm a bit of an ole mother hen to my friends. Just worried about ya buddy.

Hahaha Mother Hen should be your new name on here from now on hahahah

I understand man, it's all good. Thanks for the concern

Hey Freeman... I'll check with my "contacts" for more info on the safety of Tanzania for you. Sometimes these guys know more then what the State Dept is willing to release to the public.

I hear Madagascar is nice.