My Exchange Experience at the University of Botswana: A Lesson in Exploration

Back in 2007, when I was an exchange student at the University of Botswana, many of the classrooms were without air conditioning. As we filed in for lectures, it was common for one enterprising student to crank open the windows, desperate for any hint of breeze. In southern Botswana, the temperatures can get stifling, and without a fan or a breeze to stir the air, being cooped up in a hot classroom could feel suffocating.

For the first few weeks of my time as an Economics major, I stuck to my routine: attend class, take notes, and retreat to my dorm room. Though I made a few friends on campus, something was missing. I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the exchange experience waiting just outside the walls of the University of Botswana (UB). Through the open windows of the lecture halls, I could hear Gaborone calling—combis buzzing by, the warthogs squealing down the trails behind campus, and the street vendors filling bowls with pap and seeswa for hungry passersby.

I wanted to experience all of this, but I was too shy to step beyond the comfort of campus life. One day, I decided to ask the program director if there was time outside of class to explore the city. Without hesitation, he pulled his car keys from his pocket and said, “Take my car.” Of course, I didn’t—but in that moment, I understood the message: If I wanted a more fulfilling experience, I had to take the initiative to create it myself.

That experience became one of the driving forces behind the creation of Africa Culture Journeys. I was fortunate to have supportive professors who encouraged my curiosity and helped me explore outside of my comfort zone. They made sure I was able to dive into new cultures and experiences, even when I wasn’t always the best student. Not everyone is so lucky, though—and that’s why we founded Africa Culture Journeys: to give people the chance to experience Botswana beyond the typical tourist attractions.

While people flock to Botswana for its incredible wildlife and the awe-inspiring Okavango Delta, too few stay long enough to connect with the heart of the country: the Batswana people themselves. We want to change that. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to explore Botswana in an authentic, immersive way—without the fear of safety concerns or missed opportunities.

Join us on this journey to experience Botswana’s vibrant culture, rich traditions, and warm-hearted people. It’s time to go beyond the safari—come and see what else Botswana has to offer!