ANNOUNCING: the USP Newsletter!

To all our alumni, students, parents, friends, faculty and faithful blog follwers,

As many of you know, our world is ever-changing, perhaps more rapidly so in recent years. One of these changes involves a shift in peoples’ attention toward different social media platforms. With this in mind, we have decided to redirect our efforts and will no longer be writing blog posts. This is a bittersweet announcement; we love the blog and know that many people enjoy reading it, so we’re sad to see it go. At the same time, we are excited to have more time and energy to invest in the USP Facebook and Instagram accounts AND... *drum roll please...*

... We would like to announce that we will be sending out regular USP newsletters starting later this week! These USP newsletters will be relatively brief—but will fill the role of keeping you up-to-date on some of the exciting goings on with USP throughout each semester. We will be including updates from each of our three Academic Emphases (Social Work, Global Health and the Interdisciplinary Emphasis) as well as highlighting student experiences, alumni updates and various and sundry other UCU news from time to time. If you are interested in receiving them—and we hope you are!! – please enter your email address here. 

Last month while the students were out on Rural Homestays, I had some good time to reflect. I sat, listening to the rushing of a nearby waterfall, smelling the warmth of charcoal stoves cooking dinner, and feeling the refreshing chilliness of rainy season in the mountains all while overlooking the vast, plains below stretching north from Mt. Elgon. I was struck – and continue to be struck daily by the beauty and holiness of this place. Uganda continues to teach us all, students and staff, so much. We are eager to keep sharing stories on our other platforms. Thank you to all who have faithfully read our blog over the years; we hope you continue to follow USP through our other social media platforms:

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“To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.”- Mary Oliver

A Note from the Blogger

Meeting my host mom in January of 2016!

Before I write more blog posts highlighting students’ experiences and various emphases, I want to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Anna Ostrander, and I’m a USP alumnus from the Spring 2016 semester. I graduated this past May from Lee University with a degree in chemistry, and I plan to go to graduate school to study environmental science after this year abroad.

Something our staff likes to talk about at the beginning of the semester is the idea of one-degree changes. Simply put, USP does not aim to be the “life-changing” experience that so many expect from a study abroad program. Rather, the conversations and thoughts brought about by USP result in a one-degree change in a student’s life trajectory. A one-degree change does not alter one’s course in an obvious or immediate way, but after many months and years and seasons of life, a person finds that one degree has actually led to quite a large divergence in the path and a big difference in how she or he sees the world. In my own words, USP is not so much life-changing as it is life-lasting.

While I love the idea of the one-degree change, personally USP produced a more significant and, in some ways, immediate change in me. Perhaps it was my mere age and naïveté that made me especially malleable and receptive to change (I did USP as an 18-year-old freshman in college), but I’d say I experienced something closer to a 50-degree change. Reflecting on the past few years, USP has shaped my worldview in ways that I am still discovering. It expanded my view of God, made me more comfortable with difference & tension, gave me a greater appreciation for answerless questions, challenged me to value people over productivity, and continues to remind me to be present and grateful.

Reunited with my host sisters after 3 years!

USP is such an integral part of who I am, so coming back to be a Program Assistant was the most natural thing I could have done. This program and this beautiful country continue to surprise me in profound ways, and I am in awe of the people I get to work with every day. I’m excited for the opportunity to guide students through this journey and look forward to sharing more stories and updates as the semester goes on!

                                                           Peace,

                                                               Anna Ostrander

A beautiful morning in Mukono.

The start of the Fall 2019 Semester!

“One thing that pleases God is to see his people sharing the small things they have.”        

           These were just a few of the many moving words spoken to us last week during our time in Rwanda, and they point to one theme USP will continue to build on throughout the semester. I heard this quote while visiting an organization in Rwanda which helps rural community members start their own savings groups. The words were spoken in a very literal sense, referring to the group members sharing their money and helping each other financially, but the words are true beyond just the physical meaning. God delights in people sharing all the small things they have, whether they be insightful words or unique skillsets, and this is something USP highly values. In classes and conversations, students and staff share the bits of wisdom that they are gaining, and at practicums, supervisors get to share their expertise with the students.

            All 38 USP students arrived over two weeks ago, and it’s been a whirlwind for both staff and students. Now that we’re finally settling in and getting into the flow of the semester, I’ll briefly summarize what we’ve been up to here at USP.

            Week 1 was a combination of orientation to Uganda and preparation for our 10-day study trip to neighbouring Rwanda together with 10 UCU Honours College students. On Monday, homestay students were dropped off at their homes and began the process of getting to know the families they’ll be living with this semester. 

Abby Lebs meets her host mom, Mama Elizabeth

Amelia Schwartzkopf meeting her host mom. 

            On Tuesday of Orientation, all the students participated in a Mukono scavenger hunt, their first foray into their new town, tasked with finding the grocery store, bank, and other important locations. For the rest of the week, students continued orienting to the campus and learning more about USP, while also preparing for our week-long pilgrimage in Rwanda.

            The Rwanda study trip is intentionally planned around 3 themes, beginning with the country’s hard history of division and genocide, then moving into projects of reconciliation and healing, and ending with a look at the story of development in Rwanda over the past 25 years. The first day in Kigali, students visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial and Nyamata Genocide Memorial, a former church and the site of a major massacre in 1994. On Sunday morning, after a heavy first day, students attended local churches, dancing and worshipping alongside Rwandans and fellow USP and UCU students.

Entrace of Nyamata Genocide Memorial

Students and staff after Sunday morning's church service

            On Monday, our group visited CARSA (Christian Action for Reconciliation and Social Assistance), an organizations which is actively working toward reconciliation and healing. We heard from a panel consisting of victims of the genocide along with their perpetrators. To see a man sitting next to the man who killed his father, and to learn not only of the forgiveness, but to witness the true friendship and healing that has taken place between the two, was extremely moving and humbling. After hearing from them about their process of reconciliation, we shared a meal together. It was a beautiful opportunity to remember that we are all human, and we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. One student, reflecting on his experience at CARSA, said he was amazed to see that the relationships were “not just peaceful cohabitation, but true reconciliation.” I thought that was a perfect way to sum up what CARSA is aiming for: not mere tolerance of one another, but full healing and love between former enemies.

USP and UCU students stand with genocide survivors

Fischer Marcus and Etienne playing tic-tac-toe together.

            On Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning, we visited  Inema Arts Centre, an art gallery in Kigali, where we experienced the healing power of beauty and creativity through art and dance. On Tuesday morning, we visited Imigongo Art Center, where we learned the traditional art form, Imigongo, using cow dung and paint to make beautiful geometric designs.    

Students learn traditional Rwandan dance at Inema Arts Centre

Brandon Bolton & Caleb Hareb observe art at Imigongo

Students' Imigongo masterpieces

Diana BuDoff sifting cow dung at Imigongo

            On Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, we had the privilege of listening to some incredible speakers including Reverend Antoine Rutasirye, the former Vice Chairman of the National Unity & Reconciliation Commission, and economist Rev. Emmanuel Murangira, the Country Director for Tearfund. It was a great opportunity for students to ask questions and gain clarification on some of the information and thoughts they had been processing for the previous few days.

            On Wednesday we visited the saving groups mentioned earlier, through Hope International. We walked into a church that was alive with singing and dancing and immediately felt welcomed and loved. Most of the students joined in the dancing and clapping, and it was such a pure expression of the joy the church should always have. Students were split into small groups to observe the savings groups in action, and hear the hopeful stories of how the members of each group had truly transformed their lives through collective saving and the small loans they could take out to fund their business start-ups or pay school fees. At the end of the meeting my small group attended, one woman told us, “there is no such thing as loneliness in this group.” I was teary as I sat and took it all in — the strength of the community, the way everyone looks out for and loves one another, the clearest example of true Christianity. 

Members of the savings groups give a warm welcome

A Hope International savings group in action

             On our last day in Rwanda, the Global Health Emphasis students broke off from the rest of the group and went to a northern region of Rwanda to visit Butaro Hospital and the brand-new University of Global Health Equity. We ate lunch together with medical students at the university before hearing from a panel of doctors and developers who have built an amazing hospital there. It was intriguing to hear about the health care system in Rwanda, and inspiring to learn the ways that people are giving their lives to help people receive the quality health care they deserve. We also, unexpectedly had the thrill of a lifetime for many Global Health enthusiasts—of meeting and interacting with world renowned medical anthropologist Paul Farmer!

While Global Health students were in Butaro, the Interdisciplinary Emphasis and Social Work Emphasis students visited Bridge to Rwanda, an organization which was started in 2007 “to create opportunities for Rwanda's most promising students to obtain a global education and to attract foreign direct investors to accelerate Rwanda’s economic growth.” Our students had the opportunity to eat lunch together with and converse with their Rwandan peers preparing to study abroad in the US. For both groups, Thursday was an amazing time to come together and learn from our global community.

Students from the USP Global Health Emphasis, UCU Honors College, and the University of Global Health Equity stand with GHE Coordinator Micah Hughes and Dr. Paul Farmer outside of UGHE

USP and UCU students pose with their new friends at Bridge to Rwanda

            To wrap up the pilgrimage, the entire group made its way to Bushara Island, a beautiful spot on Lake Bunyonyi in south-eastern Uganda. We spent a lot of time just decompressing and enjoying the beautiful nature, but we also gathered as a group to debrief the trip and discuss our thoughts and feelings heading into the semester. Our director, Rachel, led us through a conversation with three parts: “my mind thinks, my heart feels, my will is formed.” It was an important time of processing and sharing where we all find ourselves now, and preparing for what’s to come in the next few months.

Students and Program Assistants take a boat ride to Bushara Island

Fisher Marcus, Jordan Dokolas, Riley King, and Grant Dunaway sport some new hats from the island

A canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi

            Classes started last Monday, and students seem to be doing really well given the craziness of the past few weeks! Thoughts and prayers continue to be appreciated by all of us here at USP!

Peace,

                                                                Anna Ostrander, USP Program Assistant

An Article From The Standard, By Sarah Choate

The following is an article written for the Uganda Christian University newspaper, The Standard, by our current USP student, Sarah Choate. Hope you enjoy reading what she shared with our UCU community. 

I came to Uganda to be a part of USP from Arkansas in the USA. I wanted to come to Uganda because I have some friends who grew up here, and so I had a connection and wanted to see where my friends grew up. Also, I’ve never been anywhere in Africa before, and I’m the first one in my family to reach this continent. I’m thankful for this opportunity to get to see another country for an entire term, which gives me a chance to really learn to understand the culture and customs.

Sarah with her Mukono Host Mother,
Mama Ruth Kareero

Our USP [staff] took us to Serere for a week-long rural homestays. These homestays are valuable for USP students because we are coming from Western countries and are ignorant of what it’s like to live in a rural setting in Uganda. It’s amazing for us to have the chance to learn about it. I enjoyed small things such as shelling g-nuts with my host family, learning how to get water from the borehole, and trying to carry water on my head in a jerry can. I know that these things are commonplace to many of the students here at UCU, but for me I was learning for the first time how life works in rural Uganda, and many things were new.

Sarah with her Mukono host sisters

One thing I found myself reflecting on was the differences between American culture and Ugandan culture. I found that many people I met expressed a desire to travel to America. But I think that life in America, while it is easier in many respects, should not be idealized. I’ve realized that American culture is too fast-paced, and people become too busy to spend leisurely time together. Living with host families in Uganda has reminded me about taking the time to enjoy the small things in life, and that it’s important to make time for other people. Ugandan culture also places a huge value on respect, which is something that American culture is slipping away from. So while I understand that America seems ideal, I’m learning so much about things that make life so rich here, and that should not be undervalued. Even simple things like noticing the flavor of greens, or trying new foods like atapa, or learning to make chapati are small things that can bring me joy. Sometimes experiences are challenging, like stepping outside of my comfort zone to interact with people who speak a different language than me. I’ve been learning Luganda, but when I was in Serere, I didn’t really speak any Ateso, which is the local language of that region.

Sarah pumping water at her rural homestay in Serere

I’m learning a balance, like any traveler, of pushing myself to do difficult things (such as learn a new phrase in a new language) and enjoying whatever life gives me (like taking morning tea).
All that is to say, I’m glad I’ve come to Uganda. It’s been fun to see a new place and try to learn about a new culture. I would come back to Uganda because I feel that whenever you pour so much of yourself into trying to learn a place, you become invested in it and grow to love it. I’m thankful for everyone who has welcomed me and the other USP students and has made our semester so great so far.

International Women's Day

International Women's Day is celebrated globally each year on March 8th. Women are recognized for their achievements and contributions to societal development on this day all around the world. There is also a great push and many protests that occur on this days as an effort to advocate for the greater advancement in women's rights and bring awareness to different women's issues, as well as to promote equality for women around the world.

This week I've been so impressed observing and hearing of the preparations and attention that was being brought to International Women's Day in Uganda. Many organizations and business are closed for celebration of women in local communities. Many of the villages are having rallies in which they are holding education sessions and raising support for Ugandan women doing incredible work on the ground to advocate for those in their communities facing gender injustices. Being inspired by the incredible rallying this week for woman across the country, I reflected on many of the strong and hard-working women that I've encountered and been taught by.

My supervisor at my senior social work practicum placement taught me so much about the hard work and resiliency of women in this context. I learned so much from her about the many positive impacts that women are having in building up their community. She works as a Child Survival Program Coordinator for a Compassion International Child Development Center. Affectionately referred to as Auntie Liz, she works hard each day to empower some of the most vulnerable women in her community. She advocates on their behalf and for their rights and well-being. She leads sensitization lessons weekly by educating young mothers on the best practices of caring for children. She also teaches women valuable skills that equip them to support themselves and their children. Auntie Liz's client base is primarily made of young single mother's that do not have support of their families and have had little access to money for education. Auntie Liz taught me the value in empowering women around me at all times in order to build a stronger and better community.

Auntie Liz (3rd from the right) at St. Peter's Child Development Center
and other staff from St. Peters with me and another USP student, Staff,
and the former Vice President of the CCCU.

I also learned so much about hard work and resiliency from my host momma on rural home stays. Momma Susan has six children that she has raised and supported through money she earns on her coffee farm. Each morning she goes out to her many coffee trees and picks, dries, and sells beans that then get imported to other countries. She spends long hours in her kitchen over her fire stove preparing meals for her family. When Momma Susan was young she hoped to become an ordained minister, but couldn't accomplish this because of a lack of money and education. She supported her parents from a young age and set some of her own hopes aside in order to sacrifice for her family. She encouraged me to become a pastor and to use my voice and passions to speak the gospel and show how powerful women in ministry can be! Uganda is paving the way for the global church in many ways by empowering women. Though her work is very different from my internship supervisors, I find it incredibly humbling the depth of heart she has for empowering women. She is working to educate her 4 daughters, and pushed me (her 5th daughter) to overcome challenges that I have observed in church, in education, and in life. I learned so much about what a strong woman is from her.

Momma Susan and me after being dropped off
for my week of Rural Homestay's in Kapchowra, Uganda

I've continuously been inspired by women in Africa that are striving to fight for the rights and equalities of women all over the world. I will never forget stories I've heard of African feminist educators overcoming challenges to empower their communities; ordinary women who single-handedly ended war in Liberia through peace movements, leading to the first female president on the continent; African women who have built hospitals to end fatality in child birth by equipping midwives in rural villages; and the stories of the women in my own life that may never be recognized greatly for the work they do every single day. I've been wished a Happy International Women's Day by about 25 women and men on this largely celebrated holiday, which has reminded me, yet again, all that I have to learn from Ugandans. Lift women up. Support women. Fight for them. Celebrate them.

So here's to strong, passionate, resilient, brilliant women in this country. And to strong, passionate, resilient, brilliant women all over the world. May we know them, may we raise them, and may we be them.

Happy International Women's Day.

Serere Rural Homestays

Two weeks ago, our USP coaster journey east to Serere, Uganda. There were many emotions and nerves as we drove deep into the village and began to drop students off with their new families for the next week. As they were dropped off, they quickly learned that "Yoga Noi" was the newest greeting in their vocabulary and that their Papa's and Tata's were so excited to welcome them in. The week looked different for each one of these students, but many of them spent long days learning to cook with charcoal stoves, milking cows for the first time, fetching water from the local water pump, harvesting g-nuts and casava, and learning the language of Ateso. This week gave our students an avenue to disconnect from life in the urban settings where UCU is located and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to live in rural Uganda.

Since a photo is worth a thousand words, here are some of my favorite shots from the week 

that will describe the experience better than my words ever could. 

Gracie Disher after being dropped off with her Jaja and Papa

Nazje Mansfield after being dropped off with her Tata

Sophie Davenport after church
dressed in a traditional 'gomesi'

Many students lived on farms!
Some even got to see some births throughout the week
including these small piglets

Senna Larson with her family visiting
with USP staff during the week.
Eating pumpkin that Senna had
prepared earlier that day!

Amanda Scholl and Praise Olatunde with their host families

A hike to Sipi Falls during our Rural Homestay Debrief

Moments before venturing back to UCU!
We love our debriefs at Sipi Falls.

We are so incredibly thankful for our Rural Homestay host families and everything they do for our Students. It has been another semester of incredible memories made and bonds that will last forever in Serere, Uganda.

Thinking about applying to be a Program Assistant? You should!

Are you thinking about applying to be a PA for the 2019-2020 year? 

Well, take it from a current PA... I really think that you should! 😊

My name is Jessica Mount. I studied with USP in the fall of 2017 and never imagined that I would be back so soon. My time as a student in Uganda was filled with so much joy, challenge, and growth... and I knew I wanted to return someday as soon as I arrived back in the states. When I saw the PA application open, I began praying and discerning if this was a good path for me and I quickly realized how much I waned to come back and work on staff with USP. I'm so thankful that I chose to apply and so thankful for the incredible experience that this has been. So, if you're thinking about applying or curious about the position, here is a glimpse at what my year as a Program Assistant has looked like! 

There's nothing a milkshake can't cure!
Kevin Domanski after a long day
at Nakasero Hospital.

Student Care: As a PA, a lot of your time will be spent with USP students as they discover Uganda and all the wonderful things that they will learn. Journeying with students and supporting them in that is a huge part of this role. Sometimes that means late night conversations when a student is processing something challenging, other times it means taking a Saturday afternoon to bake cookies to bring them in class on Monday! Student care includes venturing out to Kampala with them for the first time to show them around the city, and it also includes venturing to Kampala with them when their stomach's aren't feeling quite right. Whether it's spending long hours in a hospital, or long hours on a taxi, both are opportunities for deeper engagement with students! Student care includes eating meals and introducing them to your Ugandan friends so they can join your for dinner. It means visiting them at their homestays, orchestrating events for them, and helping them acclimate to life here. This aspect of the job can be tiring at times, but it's so rewarding to see students grow throughout the semester!

Kate Ivancic and Peter (our current
Ugandan PA) eating chicken after a
day spent in Kampala)

Many evenings spent in the USP apartment
as we prepared for Thanksgiving!

An outing in Rwanda with all my Eddie,
John, Rev. Thomas, and Rev. Emmanuel

Being on Staff: Being on team of 11 other USP staff members has shaped my year profoundly. I've seen first hand how the staff depends on each other to meet every need and activity that comes up. I learned so much from the staff when I was a student, but I've learned even more getting to work so closely with them. Their passion for this program, for what they teach about, and for cultural engagement really helps to frame what this program is all about. Working with a team that was is so passionate about helping American college students engage well in this context has made me even more passionate about what USP teaches them as well. I've learned and grown so much through mentorship, friendship, and the wisdom of each staff member!

Staff of USP Spring 2019

Professional Development: Having studied in the Social Work emphasis, I work very closely on a daily basis with USP Social Work Coordinator, Lisa Tokpa. I've continued to learn so much about the profession from her by helping with the seminar class and through conversation of what students are learning. I've helped facilitate class discussions and Cross Culture Social Work meetings, graded journals, and conducted mid semester site visits! In my year of being a PA and working closely with Lisa and all the staff, I feel I have a clearer idea of what I am called to and what I hope to do with my degree. I've also gained so much confidence this year in how USP has equipped me to be successful in the future!

Fall 2018 Cross Cultural Social Work Meeting.

Hannah Wagar and her supervisor Rose
at a mid semester site visit.

 Other parts of the job: This is a position that will keep you busy and keep you on your toes! There are many moving pieces and there's always something to be doing! A large part of the PA role is prepping and helping out on trips, including rural homestays and Rwanda. This includes stocking med kits, filling jerry cans, making lunches, and many other responsibilities. PA's are also responsible for updating social media, like Instagram, Twitter, and this blog! There's never a dull day and there are so many reasons we want you to be a part of this team! You will play an important part in the semesters to come!

PA Reunion at Thanksgiving dinner in 2018.
Want to join this PA family (dynasty😉)
I know you do! Apply today!

If you are a USP alum, a recent college graduate and looking for an awesome opportunity to grow, learn and support others on the journey-- apply now and join the USP team!

Pilgrims and Monks

Katie Ivancic with her host sister Miriam

The 28 students of Spring 2019 have been here just shy of one month. In the process of adjusting to life in Uganda, they have been challenged and rewarded by diving headfirst into new relationships with people that will shape their time here and continue to shape them far beyond this semester. UCU roommates, students of the Honor's College, host families, practicum supervisors, and many others eagerly invite students to enter the space of their daily lives. 

A framework that we continuously use here at USP is one of a pilgrimage. We borrow language from two theologians, William Cavanaugh and Emmanuel Katongole, as we encourage students to view themselves as pilgrims on a journey in search of significance and authenticity; seeking to move toward a center in communion with others and with God. The pilgrim looks inward to discover that home is often not stationary, but a road that runs straight through the heart. The pilgrim recognizes that it is in communing with others made in the image of God, that the character of God is revealed. Another key aspect of this pilgrimage journey is that a pilgrim must be dependent on their monks; the individuals that welcome them in as strangers, freely offering unwavering love and support. 

Sophie Olmstead with her family
Rev. Frefrick and Mirica Kisitu

For our 28 students, as they continue their search for significance, many will be looking to their new host families to be their monks. Our USP host families are an exhibit of Ugandan hospitality when they generously receive their new sons and daughters for the next four months. These families welcome our students into one the most vulnerable spaces of their lives, their homes. Our students depend on their families to provide for them and to teach them about the significance of culture.

The following is a poem we share with students before they meet some of the most pivotal monks in their journeys.

Tourist or Pilgrim?
"I stand at the edge of myself and wonder
Where is home? Oh! Where is the place
Where beauty will last? When will I be safe? And where?
My tourist heart is wearing me out. I am so tired of seeking
For treasures that tarnish. How much longer, Lord?Oh! Which is the way home?
My luggage is heavy. It is weighing me down
I am hungry for the Holy Ground of home.
Then suddenly, overpowering me with the truth,
A voice within me gently says:‘There is a power in you, a truth in youThat has not yet been tapped.
You are blinded with a blindness that is deep,
For you have not loved the pilgrim in you yet
There is a road that runs straight through your heart.
Walk on it.’
To be a pilgrim means to be on the move, slowly,
To notice your luggage becoming lighter,
To seek for treasures that do not rust
To be comfortable with your heart’s questions,
To be moving toward the Holy Ground of home with empty hands and bare feet.
And yet, you cannot reach that home until you have loved the pilgrim in you.
One must be comfortable as a pilgrim before one’s feet can touch the homeland.
Do you want to go home?
There’s a road that runs straight through your heart
Walk on it."
~Macrina Wiederkehr

For the 28 students of spring 2019, they have began walking the road that runs through their heart, leading them home. In the great communion created by their new families, our students often begin to find their center; discovering that God is living within the monk and the spaces that they create. 

Annie Green with her host mom Monica Wanzala