To those of you who are interested in going on the trip in 2019, I have some advice for you….
As far as packing is concerned, take more pants or capris versus dresses. Your field work partners are not going to be dressed up too much at all. You will be more comfortable walking in shirts and pants. Speaking of walking, THE RIGHT WALKING SHOES ARE SO IMPORTANT! Some days I walked 14 miles — be prepared to walk and hike hills. Bring more bug spray than you anticipate to you, as well.
When you are traveling with Dr. Cathorall and/or Dr. Brady, don’t be afraid to talk to them and get to know them. They both are very interesting professors with lots of knowledge pertaining to culture and travel. Use them as a learning resource when you are there. It was fun to travel with both of them! They truly have your safety and best interest in mind throughout the whole trip.
Before going on the trip, I wish I would have known about the more relaxed dress code and about the hills/hiking. Dress code was already addressed in the first blurb, but for hiking/hills… there are hills all over campus which is HUGE. Campus is very spread out. You also have long walks/hikes to your field communities everyday for the first couple weeks. These walks are great to get to know your team — I just didn’t anticipate them at all. I also was not prepared for the food when I was there. The food at the school is going to make your body go into shock. No lie. It is so different from what we eat in the US everyday. Your everyday meals are bread, ground nuts (peanuts) and occasionally boiled eggs for breakfast. Lunch and dinner will be the same: posho which is a flour/water mash, peanut sauce on matoke which is a plantain smash, rice, beans, stewed beef occasionally and stewed vegetables. This is a high-carb diet. Be sure to buy a knife there and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables at the market. You will miss them. In the market, we were frequent flyers at the fried chicken and french fry stands… A.K.A. you will spend more money on food than anticipated. Also be ready for cold showers when at the university — BURR!
Overall, the value for the money was great even if the trip is extended next time. All meals (except for meals like chicken and fries and snacks you buy in the market) are paid for when you are there. The week of safaris makes everything so worth it — just finish the field work and it is a great way to end the trip! Five weeks was plenty long enough for me to be away from my family and friends, but I wish I had more time at the university so I could work on my program planning and implementation with my group more. That’s why I encourage future trips to be longer. I would definitely go again though!
Lauren + Uganda = Luganda 