JULIA FONSHELL
KENYAN TIME
Hakuna matata is a phrase made famous by the Disney movie, The Lion King. “It means no worries for the rest of your days” Timone and Pumba sing to Simba about their problem free philosophy of living life with no stress. Many Disney fans may be surprised to learn, however, that this is a Swahili phrase that not only literally translates to no worries but also describes a defining feature of Kenyan culture. Furthermore, while living a carefree hakuna matata lifestyle sounds lovely in theory, adjusting to this aspect of my host country’s culture was actually one of the biggest challenges I faced during my semester studying abroad in Kenya.
STRAYING FROM THE SCHEDULE
I am the type of person who loves to follow a schedule. My agenda book, color coded and full of sticky notes, is with me at all times. Nothing makes me more anxious than not being on time. In Kenya, however, time is viewed quite differently. In fact, many Kenyans simply follow “Kenyan time”. Unlike the schedule oriented West, where its expected for people to arrive on time or even early in most cases, it is okay by Kenyan standards to arrive even hours late to an event. This absolutely drove me crazy, especially when scheduling meetings, interviews and focus groups for my research project. For instance, I would reach out to my research assistant, a Kenyan community health worker named Fred, and suggest we meet to discuss an interview. He would agree and say, simply, we will meet tomorrow, with no mention of a meeting time. After I would pester him more he would say to meet around 3pm. The next day I would arrive at our agreed upon meeting time and wait until, finally, Fred would arrive around 4pm with no apology or explanation. This is not because Fred was an especially rude or disorganized person at all, it was simply because he was following “Kenyan time.”
In my EDFI 300 class, titled Schools in Communities I studied a concept called the mirror on home. The mirror on home is a phrase that describes the reflective perspective that is provided by learning about the other countries and cultures. In Schools in Communities we studied the educational system of other countries and used what we learned to reflect on the quality of our educational policies here in the United States. My experience in Kenya absolutely provided me a mirror on home. Although I would be frustrated and confused by the lateness everyone around me seemed to be practicing at first, I eventually realized that Kenyan Time is also a reflection of the easy going and flexible qualities that I loved about my friends in Kenya.
KENYAN TIME ON CAMPUS
My mirror on home helped me realize that sometimes it is okay when life does not go according to plan. Now that I have returned home to the United States I still carry my agenda book with me and strive to be on time. This is just a part of my personality that will never change. Nevertheless, the lessons I learned in Kenya have dramatically reduced my anxiety and rigidness around scheduling that would otherwise be dictating my life in the United States. I am now a more flexible person, more willing and capable to adapt my day to new circumstances that may present themselves. For instance, I now stop and chat longer with friends as I pass them on campus between walks to class. During breaks in my schedule that I previously would have used to get ahead on homework, I use this time to take and enjoy longer lunches and dinners to catch up with friends and simply sit out on the horseshoe and enjoy the sunshine. Kenyan time has taught me to value my relationships more than a deadline. As a senior preparing to graduate from the University of South Carolina I am grateful to have learned this lesson just in time to spend my last year on campus intentionally using my time to savor people and places I love. Ultimately, each day is a gift, and whether you are early, late, or on time, I have realized it is most important to simply enjoy just being there at all.
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