Well, Somaliland to be exact. They're doing their damnedest to differentiate themselves from the rest of Somalia, and are hoping to become internationally recognized as an independent state.
I've accepted a teaching position on the horn of Africa beginning this summer. It's in a small village outside of Hargeisa, the Somaliland capital. Should be an interesting experience. I'll have to wear a hijab every day, cover my arms and legs and hair, and I'll be escorted by a very large gun-wielding guard when outside of the school. No television, no alcohol, lots of camels, satellite internet, and a close proximity to Ethiopia.
Should there be any interest, I'll post some web albums of the country and my impeccable Somali fashion upon my arrival.
Update #1:
I hate to disappoint you all, but no, pirates did not get me, and I am fully alive and functional in Somaliland at the current moment. My departure date got pushed back until August 14, and it took me 4 days to get here with 7 flights. I've only been here a few days at this point, so my experiences are still somewhat limited.
The internet, on the other hand, has been a little sub-par. If I do come across any questions though, I'll be sure to answer them, it just may come a bit late, and/or a bit sporadically.
First impressions...
- The people are, in general, extremely nice and extremely happy to have us here. As an educator, I feel incredibly well-respected and appreciated.
- The attire for women is, at most, a minor inconvenience.
- The guards that are required by law to accompany us outside of the school feel completely unnecessary. It was odd seeing them walk around so lackadaisically with giant guns slung over their shoulder though.
- The food is rather unexciting, but I've got my fingers crossed that more variety will appear after Ramadan. I'm not getting my hopes up though after talking to current staff.
- The sunsets and night skies are some of the most beautiful I've ever seen in my life.
My teaching assignment has been updated, and it looks as if I'll be teaching nothing but Computer Science! So if anyone has a good stash of CS curriculum, let me know.
Pics forthcoming in a day or so if folks are still interested.
Update #2:
Not many, but here are a small handful of pics. More to come.
Update #3:
Successful start to the school year! The ancient, POS computers I have to work with are literally sucking the life out of me, but otherwise all is well! Haven't been shot yet, so I'm going to go ahead and consider things a success.
Couple more pics thrown up, including my "lab".
I've accepted a teaching position on the horn of Africa beginning this summer. It's in a small village outside of Hargeisa, the Somaliland capital. Should be an interesting experience. I'll have to wear a hijab every day, cover my arms and legs and hair, and I'll be escorted by a very large gun-wielding guard when outside of the school. No television, no alcohol, lots of camels, satellite internet, and a close proximity to Ethiopia.
Should there be any interest, I'll post some web albums of the country and my impeccable Somali fashion upon my arrival.
Update #1:
I hate to disappoint you all, but no, pirates did not get me, and I am fully alive and functional in Somaliland at the current moment. My departure date got pushed back until August 14, and it took me 4 days to get here with 7 flights. I've only been here a few days at this point, so my experiences are still somewhat limited.
The internet, on the other hand, has been a little sub-par. If I do come across any questions though, I'll be sure to answer them, it just may come a bit late, and/or a bit sporadically.
First impressions...
- The people are, in general, extremely nice and extremely happy to have us here. As an educator, I feel incredibly well-respected and appreciated.
- The attire for women is, at most, a minor inconvenience.
- The guards that are required by law to accompany us outside of the school feel completely unnecessary. It was odd seeing them walk around so lackadaisically with giant guns slung over their shoulder though.
- The food is rather unexciting, but I've got my fingers crossed that more variety will appear after Ramadan. I'm not getting my hopes up though after talking to current staff.
- The sunsets and night skies are some of the most beautiful I've ever seen in my life.
My teaching assignment has been updated, and it looks as if I'll be teaching nothing but Computer Science! So if anyone has a good stash of CS curriculum, let me know.
Pics forthcoming in a day or so if folks are still interested.
Update #2:
Not many, but here are a small handful of pics. More to come.
Update #3:
Successful start to the school year! The ancient, POS computers I have to work with are literally sucking the life out of me, but otherwise all is well! Haven't been shot yet, so I'm going to go ahead and consider things a success.
Couple more pics thrown up, including my "lab".
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