Spring Break \’08: Arkansas

So I just haven’t had a chance to write about my experience in the South. I just had been spending most of the time thinking about the general differences I have been observing while on my way to Arkansas, and some other experiences I have had while in the state. Driving from Mississippi to Arkansas one thing I have noticed is the huge gap between the rich and the poor more so than I have noticed from my experiences in other states. Arkansas doesn’t seem like a state in one of the “richest country”. This might be a cliché but for a while I have had this myopic view that America is the land “riches and opportunities”. But from my experience, there is more to the US, than what we see on television. Poverty, although not as comparable to Malawian cases, is prevalent and still exists in America. Even though there are Shanty homes (where usually one notices a sign or life by seeing kids playing outside), I could see by driving through the country side some “sad homes” … (to be continued) I am still an observer and I can not make any conclusions about my experience yet. But,  my current reaction is that something has to be done to help people to get out of economic hardships in here in the American south.

Note: when I get a chance I will write more about my experiences at the schools I have visited. So far I am just shocked and as Michael M. has said ” here is the US is one country where one can observe/have both a developed world education and third- world education”  anyhow, all this well be in my next reflection on the Stephens High School  SAU.

So yeah, we finally left Wake Forest 45 minutes late. Before leaving, we had to discuss how to arrange our bags in the Van. We have a 15 person Van occupying 8 passengers. I mean you would expect the ladies on the trip to be carrying a lot of bags. Actually, it is the men who seem to more luggage. Anyhow we got on the road at 5:45. And, I was hoping I would get some sleep, but actually we ended up spending most of the time chatting. Our discussions were very interesting and one topic led to another. The highlight of the trip so far, I still think was our discussion on marriage, especially trusts matters. I mean, we have had split views on prenatal agreements and why people get married in the first place?. . . We finally got to Mississippi, late afternoon, I was tired that I took a 2hour, and then afterward we dinned at Ruby Tuesday. And now, we are back at the hotel getting ready for bed. I am so tired!! I need some rest.

Note: I haven’t noticed any major differences of the south than NC. May be I will need to pay more attention to the surrounding. More to come soon.

Hi there, My name is Mercy Palamuleni and I am currently a senior,Mathematical Economics major. I come from Malawi and the furthest south I have visited in the US is South Carolina. So I’m hoping to get a great experience of what the American South really looks like!! I’ so ready for the adventure!!I’m so excited about the trip and I can’t wait to get on the road in 7 hours!!! More to come soon