The First Humphrey Fellows in the University of Montana

 “Your gate to Missoula is number CG2”, said an Alaska crew member once I arrived at Seattle airport. I replied, “There must be an error madam, I am heading to Montana”, and I later understood. Simply put, coming from a distant country, I had never heard the name “Missoula”. Why do we just say “the University of Montana” and not “The University of Missoula”? Maybe it’s the best!
We landed at Missoula airport last march, the 23rd. This group of ten people, we are coming from nine different European, Latin-American and African countries. “We are so honored to host this prestigious Humphrey fellows, for the first time, at our university”, said Dr Royce Engstrom. “These diverse people will stay with us till august for a Long-term English Training, before they will go to continue their scholarship in different universities all over the United States of America”, added Dr Sandra Janusch, the head of the English Language Institute. It is that ELI which schedules our stay at Montana.

It’s a new life. Most of us coming from tropical countries, the first “baptism” is the cold. One can think of me from probably one of the tiniest countries in the world, Burundi (when googling, do not care much about many inaccurate information). In that beautiful country, “The heart of Africa” it is more or less 68°F. Facing a more or less 30°F is a real shock! Fortunately, what a welcoming people! Everyone is helpful.
Yes, different frag for orientations. Sandra, Sara, Ariel, Peter and others are helping so much. What nice and diverse food! We are always pleasured at the Food Zoo entrance by the warm welcome, such us the smiling “Hey Myriam” or “Hi Andreas”of people like Molgow and colleagues. We always hear young such as Lance, Katty, and friends, especially those of the Elrod Hall saluting "Hey guys, how was your day?".

We learned a lot from the International Festival. What an international university! The 75 countries represented here is proof! This was ten days before we met Dr Udo Fluck: “Don’t worry about these some culture shock. You will learn so many things, but we expect to hear and see much from you. You are ambassadors of your countries here”, he explained to us during a cultural seminar.
We met different services’ representatives:  from the police, the medical center, the gym, the University Center, etc.
Already, the long and important journey led us to the capital city, Helena. “Helena”? Not so many people know exactly where the name came from. But, before the “Helena cathedral”, we had some hours in The House: Thirty minutes in the Montana’s Representatives chamber. I unfortunately didn't meet some, such as Ron Arthun, Taylor Brown, Robyn Driscoll, Jeff Essmann, Tom Facey, Larry Jent, Jason Priest, and so on (guess who they are and how our countries might need them).

Forty-five minutes’ tour: stands in front of statutes of Montana great figures: J. Rankin, F.S. Wilbur, Maureen & Mike Mansfield, Theodore Brantley, etc. We heard things! We posed for pictures.  Keep on counting. We sat in the Supreme Court’s hall. But all before our tour in the senator’s chambers in full activities, we had the chance the meet Sir John Walsh. We had some discussion, some questions and directions.

As a journalist, I had gone: “As an experienced military in many areas in the world, what do you think of the north Korea’s idea to head over here?” The Lieutenant Governor looked at me and said “I hope they won’t do that. There must be a reason when they say so but…, let’s pray they don’t do that. And, in North Korea we have American soldiers so…and I think it is not so near”.
“You guys had a chance to meet the Lieutenant Governor of Montana State. It is not sure that once in New York, in Pennsylvania, in Atlanta, in California, etc., you will have such an honor”, put Sandra, that Thursday night before adding, “Good night! Tomorrow is another day and a longer one: we will spend hours in the Montana Museum”.

That Friday, we learned how artists are so important for the history. At the entrance, we only talked about Charles Russell and his work! I personally was most marked by the way Native Americans are recognized through history. If I remember that in my country or just near in Rwanda, and somewhere else, we do not talk enough about victims of genocides and the perpetrators, I feel shocked.  I wished that could lead to a “never again» logic.  But, we still have to learn. A million thanks to the people who are hosting.   

Audace Machado