Reintegration

I have adjusted to life in Uganda; the smells, sounds, people, food and culture have become familiar. I have a place to live, an identity and status amongst my friends and community and have found peace. I know that I will return to live here for at least a year after my degree is finished in Canada. It has been a character building experience coming here and will also be a process to return to Canada.

Part of me does not want to go back just yet but I know that it is a 5 month internship, not a 2 year one. The reintegration into Canadian culture is going to be a mental, physical, spiritual and emotional adjustment. In Uganda I analyse, journal, write and critically reflect on everything I see to help understand the culture and my reaction to it. By reflecting on these experiences I have learned more about myself and what I want out of life. In Canada the need to continue reflection is less relevant and this process may become indefinitely suspended.

Physically I exercise every morning at 6am here and have a 30minute walk to the nearest village. In Canada I will undoubtedly be turning in my running shoes for a convenient bus pass or automotive transportation. I also find myself running out of time or motivation during the day to go to the gym or for a run after university classes, work and socialising.

Spiritually I am surrounded by positive ideals, religion and the common held belief in gods existence in Uganda. My favourite phrase is "God knows the truth," people say that here when they are troubled by anothers actions or do not feel the need to defend themselves. By simply saying, "God knows," they relieve themselves of stress or getting caught up in dramatic social situations. For many young people they choose to date but not have sex before marriage and this relieves some stress from romantic relationships as well.

The emotional adjustment is the most daunting to me. I have made close friendships with many people here, and after spending the last 3 months living as family, visiting each others homes, confiding in each other and working together I will have to leave them for an undetermined time. Many I am sure I will never see again. Another adjustment will be the one of self identity. Our adolescent years and 20's are a time for self discovery and definition; in Uganda I am a Muzungu who volunteers for the betterment of women, children and people living with HIV/AIDS. I know where I live, my community, my friends, I know the office and work culture and feel connected. In Canada, who will I be? It will not be so easy to determine when I move every four months and switch university programs. Recently someone asked me what my hobbies were and all I could respond was "I have been studying 5 hours a day, in university classes and grocery shopping and doing laundry the rest of the time...I do not have time for hobbies and cannot even remember what they were."