Features

My first experience in London, England was listening to a tour guide explicitly describe the murders of several prostitutes. The women were killed by Jack the Ripper in London’s Whitechapel district during the 1880s.

Being easily frightened, this was not my preferred introduction to the city. It was a field trip taken with my literature class at Herstmonceux Castle, so it did have a purpose, and a good one too.

It was the opportunity of a lifetime. From the first day in the Atrium when I saw pictures of Herstmonceux Castle, to the last day when I took the long plane ride home. I couldn't believe I could be so lucky.

I had no preconceived notions of the castle experience. I was an open book to the experience and allowed each day to write its own synopsis in my memory.

The utter beauty of Herstmonceux Castle filled my senses.

In some ways, things are improving for women in Sierra Leone. More women are in positions of power and leadership than ever before.

However, there is still a long way to go for the average woman, especially in rural areas.

One major area is work. This was really emphasized in a small group activity I observed at a gender sensitization workshop. Each group was assigned a person (man, woman, boy and girl) and had to write down all the activities that person typically did in a day.

 1. You arrive at the airport. The furniture is unconventional — the lighting fixtures look like bubbles and the chairs are shaped like stingrays and eggs. You’ve just had your first encounter with Scandinavian design.

2. You feel like a snack. You step away from the baggage carousel to a stand selling hot dogs. You order one wrapped in bacon, covered in a thick yellowy sauce and possibly pickles. It goes down well with a bottle of chocolate milk.

Nicole Ward worked with the farm and allied sector of CORD (Chinmaya Mission for Rural Development) in Himachal Pradesh India.

Since being in India my whole concept of normalcy, as I know it, has been tossed right out onto the middle of the 401 during rush hour traffic and completely crushed by a giant Mack truck, and then crushed again by a million others.

I have to readjust everything in my mind and body to conform, if even a little, to the ways of the East. Everything from waking up in the morning is different.