Lauren Gomez Without a doubt, embarking on my journey to learn Swahili has been one of my most enriching experiences at Northwestern. It has been a gateway to connecting with a passionate community of educators as well as understanding a diverse and vibrant culture, and after almost two years of studying the language, I can confidently say that my Northwestern experience would feel incomplete without it.
Swahili as a language, with its melodious flow, challenging noun classes, and rich vocabulary has captivated me. However, my Swahili journey has also transcended the conventional bounds of a typical classroom. Every day that I step into Professor Mwangi’s classroom, I not only leave with a new set of linguistic skills, but I leave inspired. It is an environment where language lessons are intertwined with cultural education through music, dance, and storytelling. This immersive environment fosters cultural and interpersonal connections that encourage me to disseminate my passion and knowledge to a broader community.
Furthermore, engaging with the PAS community has been a cornerstone of my learning experience. Language tables, cultural festivals, and cooking classes have deepened my understanding of East African society as well as allowed me to practice my linguistic abilities in a live setting. I have met other students with diverse backgrounds and experiences where the unity of Swahili allows us to connect, learn, and explore. Such experiences have demonstrated to me that the Swahili classroom is certainly not confined to four walls; it extends to wherever there is a community to converse with and experiences to be had.
Reflecting, the phrase “Haraka haraka haina baraka” (hurry, hurry has no blessing) echoes the nature of my Swahili learning experience: to proceed thoughtfully and embrace each moment of connection and cultural discovery.
Lauren Gomez is an undergraduate at Northwestern University