In April, I traveled to Rwanda with Operation Smile for a medical mission. In addition to the many valuable life lessons I learned through this humbling experience, I also noticed the unexpected differences in the ways of living between Africa and the United States, and how momentous these differences may seem.

1. Toilets are square

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In my entire 18 years of living, I had never encountered a square-shaped toilet until Rwanda.

2. Air conditioning… never heard of it

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We often take air conditioning for granted. In 90 degree weather, air conditioning after a long day is a huge comfort. Even in the main city, Kigali, air conditioning was limited. In the remote village of Rwinkwavu, nobody had heard of it.

3. iPhones are not a thing

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Remember those flip phones you had in middle school? Everyone in Rwanda uses those instead of iPhones.

5. Goats are food, not friends

Emma Morris

I was petting a goat tied to a tree thinking he was a pet when I realized he was right outside the kitchen. He was our dinner that night (I did not eat him).

6. Mosquito nets are necessary

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You would never use a mosquito net over your bed in America. In a country where malaria is a threat, mosquito nets over your bed are necessary (along with an abundance of bug spray).

7. Verbal language is not necessary for communication

Emma Morris

The most important thing I learned in Rwanda was the most surprising. I made plenty of little friends just from smiling, gesturing, and pointing. I didn't need to speak Kinyarwanda to communicate with the parents, children, and other patients at the hospital.

Of all the differences between the United States and Africa, the most different were the people. The people in Rwanda were extremely kind and open to foreign volunteers helping them. If the roles were reversed, I doubt those Americans would be as open to having foreign doctors and volunteers help them. I loved my time in Rwanda and I hope to visit again one day even with all of the differences in their ways of life.