Guidelines for Future Student Participation in the Nigeria Project

• Flexibility:
  Things *will not* go according to plan. You need to be able to function effectively "on the fly" because everything changes from minute to minute.
• Patience:
  See above. Being patient will not only help things go more smoothly, but you'll be better able to relax and enjoy yourself.
• Comfort:
  Both electricity and water service are unreliable. Toilet facilities are often broken and unclean. You can expect to have at least one bout of upset tummy as your body adjusts to the different food. Pretend you're camping and you'll get by.
• Humor:
  Laugh and have a good time. Nigerians are friendly, fun, and love life!

Culture

• Introductions:
  I found that before people get to business they like to go through the formalities of saying hello, asking how you are, inquiring after your family, etc. It's rude to jump right into business.
• Clothing:
  I wore "modest" clothing: loose linen with sleeves that fell below my elbows. While I was later assured by a few people that this was not necessary, frankly it was a lot cooler and protected my light skin (I'm a redhead) from the sun. I put my regular clothes on one day and felt the heat intensely!
• Language:
  
Now, we all know that computers function better when you yell the f* word at them repeatedly, as my travelling partner and tech guy Darrell demonstrated frequently. However, I noticed the Nigerians visibly flinch or look away when we cursed, so I recommend watching your language, just to be polite.
• Touching:
  When I teach, I am very touchy, guiding hands, squeezing arms, patting shoulders. I noticed that the men seemed uncomfortable with this and so I tried to not do it.
• Eating:
  Guests are treated with great hospitality, which includes providing a lot of food. Refusing food is rude, but it's okay to nibble at a little bit of everything. Mmmm, pounded yam. :)
• Drinking:
  Drinking alcohol is officially frowned upon. (Though I had the best Guinness ever in Zaria.)

Personal Preparation

• Research:
  You by all means do not need to read and review every book and resource on my Resources page, but it helps to have a passing knowledge of the history and geography. Start following Nigerian news about a month before you go.
• Papers:
  You will need a passport and an innoculation card.
• Shots/Medicines:
  Contact your health care provider to find out what they recommend. You need a Yellow Fever vaccination to enter Nigeria. When you receive this shot you will also be given the innoculation card mentioned above.
• Packing:
  Follow this link to my packing list (.doc format), with notes I added once I returned. The list is from a female perspective.

Instruction Materials

• Because the power goes out so frequently, it is very helpful to have paper copies--especially screen shots--of whatever you are trying to teach.
• I found that the people I was teaching really wanted a list of steps to memorize in order to accomplish a task--for example, checking email. However, this is often difficult. In the one week I taught in Kano, Yahoo.com changed the lay-out of their website--and therefore the location and look of the "do email" link--*three* times. So, it's very important to stress an understanding of how and why things work so they can be flexible for the inevitable and frequent changes.
• Since Internet access can also be touch-and-go, I suggest burning CD's with examples of whatever you're teaching or showing.

Technology

• Internet access:
  Internet access is rare. Before you leave home, be sure that any family or friends who might be worried understand that it's quite possible you will neither call or email for long periods of time. Also, web-based email is **extremely** slow and unreliable over the kinds of Internet connections that are common in Nigeria. If you have a shell account you can telnet or ssh to, then definitely make that your primary email for the trip.
• Camera:
  Bring plenty of film and batteries with you. The x-ray machinery in their airports is old. If you bring any film of an ISO of 400 or higher, think about getting a protection bag. If you're going during the harmattan, think about dust protection as well. I wish I had brought a Polaroid to amuse the children, and also to take snaps to record people's names on. It's several months after my trip now, and I'm having a hard time remembering names and faces together.
• Journal:
  Though I normally use paper for a journal, I knew that I would want to put it on the web or otherwise share it and I could save myself a lot of trouble if I created it in an electronic format to begin with. But... imagine dealing with a laptop. Feh. Welp, with the purchase of an $90 portable keyboard, my handy Handspring Visor (a Palm Pilot-like device) became an easy, convenient way to write a journal--and carry it with me always. And it runs on AAA batteries so no fooling with recharging. Plus, it made a cool "Ooooh, Aaahhh" demo for the folks in Nigeria.