Culture is that which shapes us; it shapes our identity and influences our behavior. Culture is our “way of being,” more specifically, it refers to the shared language, beliefs, values, norms, behaviors, and material objects that are passed down from one generation to the next. Culture changes with time. What is diversity? The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. It’s about empowering people by respecting and… Read More

Zanzibar, an archipelago off the coast of Tanzania. The word Zanzibar came from Arabic zanjibār (زنجبار ), which is in turn from Persian zangbâr (زنگبار ), a compound of Zang (زنگ , “black”) + bâr (بار , “coast”). The name is one of several toponyms sharing similar etymologies, ultimately meaning “land of the blacks” or similar meanings, in reference to the dark skin of the inhabitants. Although it is officially part of the East African country, in almost all aspects—politics,… Read More

WHAT IS GRATITUDE? The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. However, it’s easy to be ungrateful these days, isn’t it? It’s easy to want things we don’t have. In fact, I’d even go as far as saying it’s stitched into the very material of our society. Everywhere we turn, we are reminded of the fact of how little we do have rather than how much we have to be grateful for. In a… Read More

Relationships evolve. They change and they grow. Sometimes they crash and they burn. We never know how things will look when each other’s less adorable, kind of awful habits start to show themselves publicly, or under the influence of alcohol or in-laws. Some relationships are all shades of wrong from the outset (‘Baby you’re so beautiful. You’re the image of my ex. See? My ex used to take me out every week, can you do that?) Some start off with… Read More

What Insecurity Is and Why We Experience It At its core, insecurity is a feeling of anxiety or uncertainty about yourself. For example, you could have the sense of being underdressed for an important work event, or the fear of not being capable enough to handle a particular assignment. Insecurity, or a tendency to lack confidence or certainty in oneself, may be experienced by most people regarding some aspect of their lives. For many, feelings of insecurity can be resolved… Read More

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Empathy is the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within their frame of reference, that is, the capacity to place oneself in another’s position. There are three ways of looking at empathy. Firstly, there is affective empathy. This is the ability to share the emotions of others. People who score high on affective empathy are those who, for example, show a strong visceral reaction when… Read More

Malawi, landlocked country in southeastern Africa. Some African countries enjoy enormous swathes of coastline. Malawi is not one of them. It is hemmed in on all sides by other, bigger neighbours – by Mozambique to the east, south and south-east; by Zambia to the west; by Tanzania to the east and north-east. Malawi, in Chichewa – the local language – means flames or fire. It is named after the incredible sunset and sunrises over Lake Malawi. Lake Malawi is one… Read More

What is love? A feeling of strong or constant affection for a person. : attraction that includes sexual desire : the strong affection felt by people who have a romantic relationship. That’s the dictionary definition. Love is complex. A mix of emotions, behaviors, and beliefs associated with strong feelings of affection, protectiveness, warmth, and respect for another person. Love can also be used to apply to non-human things, animals, to principles, and to religious beliefs. For example, a person might… Read More

    Mombasa, Kenya Mombasa, city and chief port of Kenya, situated on a coralline island in a bay of the Indian Ocean. This island is linked to its mainland municipal territory of 100 square miles (259 square km) by causeway, bridge, and ferry and has an area of 5.5 square miles (14.25 square km). Mombasa, Kenya’s second largest city after Nairobi, offers travelers an exotic taste of the African tropics steeped in centuries of seafaring history. Stretching for miles… Read More