Gonzaga University Psychology Program in Africa

Day 1 of our Journey from Mark Bodamer

We have made it to London! Everything went very smoothly. Some of us got a little sleep. Lots of the students are currently spread out on the floor snoozing. We have a seven hour layover in London; we have about three more hours to go; then a 10 1/2 hour fligth followed by a 7 hr. bus ride. It is a true “journey”.

Terminal 5 is new and very nice. Well, the last student to meet up with the group (Willa) has just arrived so all 27, going to Chimfunshi are here. We have 19 students enrolled in either a psychology class or a biology class (or both). (We offered three psychology class options: Comparative Psychology, Applied Child Psychology both at 300 level and also offered a 200 level psychology class called Nurturing Reverence for Life. The biology class is called Biodiversity). There are 4 TAs, 2 people that will be working primarily in Muchinshi for HANDZ (see link for more on HANDZ http://www.handzambia.org/pages/what.shtml), and 2 faculty (Dr. Mark Bodamer, Psychology and Dr. Bill Ettinger, Biology).

Time for coffee.

Sarah the T.A. Says:
So far so good! We are all excited and getting used to the time change – currently sleeping in bunches on the floor of London Heathrow. Students seem to be excited too! Can’t wait to be in Africa!

Just a quick note to say that we’ve called the hotel in London and they have all checked in safely.

Their flight is on the way from Lusaka to London. Flightstats allows you to receive emails and text messages about when flights have departed and arrived, if you want to keep tabs on your loved one’s travel. Most of the students are on British Airways 49. Once everyone gets back we’ll get more of the stories posted.

I am now on my way home (glad to be returning to my family but was sad to leave — there are still many great things in store!). The students have really bonded with one another — it is a great group! They are in good hands with Prof. Mark Bodamer and his wife, Amber. On-site, are also five students for whom this is a second or even third trip, including our Chelsey — the students have been generous and helpful. Everyone has settled in nicely and are eager for more adventures to come, especially the bush walks with the baby chimpanzees and the upcoming visits from the local village school children. Other than a few minor colds/allergies, everyone is healthy. Today the whole group will go to the nearby village of Muchinchi to join the women at the Fubanzi Women’s Center for a greeting, a meal, and singing and dancing! I will put up a longer post (with pictures!) once I am home. Posting from Zambia proved impossible, but I have asked Chelsey to email me with updates that I can post from home. The students send their love!

After nearly two days of travelling, the students have reached Chimfunshi. All I got from Molly before the satellite phone cut out was “We’re in Africa. Please call Wanda so she can email the parents.” So everyone is okay, but I’m sure they’re exhausted.

We’ve made it this far in our journey. All are accounted for and most are now exploring the Heathrow airport. I am enjoying a cup of tea while I figure out a somewhat complicated Internet system! The flight was not too bad — the food was pretty good and the movie selection was great. Most everyone managed to get a bit of sleep. We leave at 7:15 pm to arrive in Zambia at 6:15 a.m. (9:15 pm your time). We will let you know once we are on-site at Chimfunshi (sometime Thursday morning for you). This promises to be a great adventure and we are glad to be on our way.

Dr. Kretchmar and all the students (except for those intrepid ones already in London) have safely met up in Seattle and begun their 35+ hour odyssey. According to the real-time flight tracker, their flight is 33,000 feet up, approaching the Hudson Bay, and cruising at 694 mph. They’ve got about 6 hours and 20 minutes left to Heathrow. When last spoken with, the group was in good spirits: eating and playing cards while they awaited their flight.