I feel like now that the day is approaching and I am catching up with all my friends once more before I take off, I've had to talk about what it is that I will be doing during my time in Kenya. What a great opportunity to do an FAQs entry.
1. So which program are you in?
I am in Natural Resources Science and Management. That is what the degree will say.
2. Are you at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs?
No. NRSM is housed in the College of Natural Resources Science and Management. It is an interdisciplinary program.
3. What is your research on again?
Short Answer: I am studying local community participation in water development projects in western Kenya.
Longer Answer: I will be learning about how gender and customary laws influence evaluation and monitoring of water projects implemented by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). I am curious how NGOs interact with people in the communities they visit and how they keep track of the effects of their projects on the people in those communities.
Longest Answer: See dissertation.
4. What are customary laws?
They are norms/rules/codes of conduct observed among a group of people. What makes them fascinating is they are typically unwritten but they govern social behavior and sometimes supersede written law.
5. How is it that you get to do research in your home country?
I am a super genius.
6. So you're a super genius, eh?
No. I am very lucky to have fantastic advisors and a fabulous examining committee who have encouraged and given me the freedom to build my curriculum and project from scratch.
7. Does being a woman/Kenyan/someone who hasn't lived in Kenya affect your research?
It can help and hurt depending on the situation.
8. Where will you stay?
When in Nairobi, I'll probably stay with my aunt and her family. When I am in western Kenya, I will be kicking it at my parent's house.
9. When was the last time you were home?
I was there in August 2011 for about five weeks. This will however be the first time I have ever lived in Kenya for that long. Ever. Yes, it is weird.
10. How long will you be gone for?
6 months this time.
11. Do you think you will have to go back?
That remains to be seen.
12. What do you think is going to be the hardest thing for you?
Learning how to balance field work and family life.
13. How do you get there?
Minneapolis is a Delta hub so I fly from MSP direct to Amsterdam. The flight is seven and a half hours. I am in Amsterdam for five hours. Then it is another seven and half-hour flight to Nairobi.
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