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My time in Côte d’Ivoire has been a mishmash of many jobs (just as I like it). I teach English-speaking classes at the Embassy, I run the English Club at the American Space on the university campus, I conduct teacher training for English teachers around Côte d’Ivoire (and Burkina Faso remotely), I teach English to…

Some years ago, I worked with a student who always smelled like moth balls. For the first few months of school, I thought he was wearing some clothes that had been stored in a closet with moth balls, but the smell never diminished. Then one day, I saw him take a moth ball out of…

In the fall, my friend Adi (an Ivorian teacher) and I taught English for hospitality and tourism classes at the US Embassy. The students were so fun, and I was instrumental in explaining the differences between British and American English in many scenarios using words like “lift” vs. “elevator.” As a comic interlude, I also…

So sorry for the long pause here. Things have been super-busy and equally stressful as we wonder if our program will be cut and we will be sent packing. In my neighborhood, USAid has closed down and many people in Côte d’Ivoire and greater Africa will suffer from preventable diseases as the medicine sits here…

You know who has had a tough time adjusting to life in Côte d’Ivoire? My hair. My hair is complicated – not in the styling of it, but in its mere existence. When I was young, there were no hair control products unless you count DEP, which was basically glue marketed for tortured teens. I…

In our hospitality and tourism class, my colleague and I asked students to make a list of places that people should want to visit when they come to Côte d’Ivoire. The students listed many typical things: the various beaches, the mountains, Ivorian restaurants, and some locally famous neighborhoods. As the students were shouting out all…

Last week, my Ivorian colleague invited me to a cultural festival at the local university, and I was, of course, happy to attend. What does a cultural festival mean? I have no idea. Here is the pattern of my life here: I get invited to an event. I say yes. I don’t know exactly what…

Since arriving in Abijan, I’ve wanted to visit the artisan’s market, which has handmade goods from around Côte d’Ivoire and other parts of Africa. I had seen pictures and read about it but had yet to visit. I knew going would be challenging because all the prices are negotiable, and negotiation is not a strong…

Even before I moved here, I heard that it’s simple and very affordable to have clothing made in many countries in Africa. If you have a dress that you love, buy some beautiful African fabric and have a replica made. Although my clothing is casual, the idea of having some custom dresses made was so…

One of my goals this past summer was to make friends with a crow. I didn’t have any specific reason for this other than I’ve heard that they are intelligent and it would be cool to do. Who doesn’t need a random personal challenge to round out the summer? Unfortunately, I didn’t achieve my goal,…