Stupid questions you get asked if you study abroad in Africa
Africa is not a country: It’s a continent
When I decided to study abroad in an African country, I had no idea I was going to be bombarded with ignorant comments. I’ve enlisted the help of my friends to compile a list of things you should never ask us ever again.
The biggest pet peeve I found across the board was how so many people refer to Africa as a country: it’s a big place. You wouldn’t say you are studying abroad in Asia when you are really studying in China. There are 54 countries on the African continent, so don’t refer to one country as all of Africa. Please.
Two wonderful young people I met on my trip
Here are some of my favorite quotes regarding the entire continent
“So, uh…where is Tanzania?” – Jenn
For all of you who were thinking the same thing, Tanzania is on the eastern boarder of Africa. It’s not in Australia, contrary to popular belief. Do some research, my friends.
“Do you have the Ebola virus?” – Cassie
Yup, I’m hanging out with you right now, knowing full well that I have Ebola. That’s how much I value our friendship.
“Where is the airport in Africa?” – Rachel
I don’t even know how one person could think that the entire continent would have just one airport.
Please enjoy our favorite quotes about our living situation
“Were you close to being eaten by a lion?”
Oh, every day. There wasn’t a moment when I was walking in the concrete jungle of Dar where I wasn’t fearful of a lion attack.
Uh oh, he looks hungry!
“Do you have to shower in a lake?” – Erin
Yup, I took my Pantene into the lake and the hippos kept watch for the eminent lion attack.
“Had they ever seen a white person before?”
They do have media, and most of the media I saw had white people, which was kind of weird. The Wisconsin pale skin definitely stuck out, but do you really think that we were the first white people they’ve ever seen?
“Did you live in a hut?”
No, I stayed in an EconoLodge. You can find them in the U.S. I had indoor plumbing, a toilet, a nice warm shower, and a comfortable bed. We even had air conditioning!
Yeah, I lived in a hut
“Were you scared, like, all the time?” – Calli
Of getting attacked by lions? Nope. The people were incredibly nice, the merchants especially, because they just want to profit from the tourists. When you buy all of their “hakuna matata” merch, they are pleasant as can be.
“Do people walk around naked?” – Erin
No, people have clothes…especially in Dar Salaam, you can find cloth merchants on almost every street corner. And when I say “street corner”, I definitely mean a paved street corner, with a sidewalk and everything.
“Don’t sleep with anyone, because you’re gonna get AIDS” – Jenn
Are you saying that everyone on the continent of Africa has AIDS? And that I’m going to have unprotected sex with everyone?
Last, but not least
“Why would you want to go to Africa?” – Cassie
Why wouldn’t you?