Seventeen OSU students from diverse majors traveled through Uganda this May, observing its history, culture, and the lives of its citizens through the lens of human security. Students majoring in international studies, economics and business, health and nutrition, dance, political science and literature participated with the common goal of understanding how Ugandans strive for stability and quality in various aspects of their lives. During the first half of the trip, the group experienced campus life at Makerere University, in the heart of the bustling capital Kampala. Morning lectures by Makerere faculty, on subjects ranging from the economy to art were followed by visits to historical and other sites in and around Kampala. Visits to formal institutions, such as Baganda kingdom sites, the Quadafi Mosque, the parliament and the US Embassy, were interspersed with immersion into local markets, a break-dance project for youth, Kampala’s taxi network, and a number of ‘happening places’ in town.  Leaving Kampala for the town of Jinja at the source of the White Nile, students experienced a more relaxed pace of life and exposure to issues of environment, tourism, literature and other topics.  A two day visit to Mburu National Park to see Uganda’s natural wildlife, followed by a farewell festival in the village of Bujuuku, hosted by OSU Professor Salome Fouts, rounded out the trip. Keeping up with the intensive physical and academic pace of activities, and grappling with often provocative realities of contemporary Uganda, students emerged transformed and ultimately encouraged by the grace, warmth and resilience of the Ugandans they met. 

 As described by Bryanna Dickson, a second year economics major,   “An instance that comes to mind of Uganda's personality is the night that we took a boat ride on the  Nile. While our group stayed in Jinja, our advisors thought it would be fun  for us to go for a boat ride on Lake Victoria and the Nile.  On the way to  the dock, we walked through a small village near the river.  It was dusk, and  I remember it being so just so dark and that there were children everywhere.   They were so friendly and wanted to talk to us and take pictures.  The water level of the river had risen and people's small shack homes were being  flooded, but despite this, everyone was so welcoming and friendly.  On the  way back from our boat ride, the kids just wanted to play with us more and I  remember lagging behind as everyone piled into our bus to leave.  As we left,  the kids were shouting "Bye bye! See you tomorrow!" but we would not see them  again. All of Uganda was like this: I always felt welcome and that I could talk to anyone on the street.”

 Plans are already underway for the 2014 Global May Uganda program.