Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Talking with American Students Going to Tanzania


Today I went to Apple Valley, Minnesota, to speak with students from Gustavus Adolphus College on their way to Tanzania on a study trip. Their professor, standing second from the right in the back row, in the photo, had invited me to talk with them on differences between African and American culture. In preparation for our meeting and for the trip, she had asked them to read my book Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Differences which many colleges use for orientation of students going to Africa.

After my preliminary remarks, talking about my background and my passion for my work as a cultural mediator for Africans and Americans, we had a long question-and-answer session. It is always a delight for me to be involved in such encounters, since I not only learn from hearing my readers' questions, but I also get an opportunity to share whatever I can to make such people go to Africa with confidence and a sense of humour.

The Gustavus Adolphus Tanzania program is described here.

3 comments:

Sophie B. said...

Prof. your book is excellent,My Husband and I are enjoying it very much.We got it couple of days ago from lulu.com.My Husband is learning more about our culture so am I.You did a fantastic job,thanks!

Mbele said...

Thanks for your message. I am gratified that readers find this book enjoyable and illuminating. It is my duty to continue studying and writing in the area of cultural differences, as my contribution to mutual understanding in the world and making people's lives a little easier. The main reason the book is the way it is is that I wanted to write the kind of book I wanted to read. This is my guiding principle, simple as it is. Again, thanks.

Simon Kitururu said...

Its so nice Ur doing this Prof.There is a lot of people who do not even know there is a place called Tanzania , including a few who thinks africans live in trees!Sad but truee!