Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell's Ryan Johnson Uses ROTC Training in Tanzania
9/4/2014 5:05:00 PM | Men's Track and Field
Traveling with the Army ROTC program – of which he is a member on campus – Johnson spent 24 days with the Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency (CULP) Program. The goal of CULP is to immerse cadets in different cultures to build relationships and an awareness of different countries' worldviews.
Working alongside the U.S. Embassy, Johnson and his group taught English at three different high schools in Tanzania's largest city, Dar es Salaam.
Aside from teaching, the program offered a unique look into East African culture. For example, the concept of timeliness in Tanzania would seem crazy to the typical American. “Time is money in America,” says Johnson. “It was the complete opposite there. We saw people stop in their tracks to have a five-minute conversation with a total stranger."
The simple concept of being “on time” is also very lax. “If someone says, 'arrive at 6 p.m.,' then being on time would be at 6 p.m. on the dot in America,” Johnson adds. “In Tanzania, even 6:59 p.m. would be considered on time as long as it was within the same hour.”
Although traveling with the Army meant that they had to work in large groups and were limited in the areas they could travel, Johnson had to stay in shape almost entirely with a treadmill in his hotel. However, the CULP group did have the opportunity to spend plenty of time with the students he was teaching. Each Friday, the group was able to play soccer against a local varsity high school team. “Needless to say, we lost horribly,” Johnson joked.
Johnson believes that this program will prove beneficial for both himself and the future relationships between the United States and other countries.
“The kids probably won't remember our names or what we taught them,” Johnson says of his time in Tanzania and his future as an Army Officer. “Hopefully they will remember that the Americans were kind people who lent a helping hand. I could be stationed in a foreign area of conflict someday, and reflect back, remembering that culture, respect, and personal relationships are everything.”
Entering the fall season, Johnson – currently ranked fifth in Bucknell history in the outdoor 800-meter run – is confident in the potential for both cross country and track & field.
“We are returning two of the best runners in the league for cross country,” says Johnson. “While we graduated some valuable sprinters and a jumper for track & field, I am confident that our team will adapt. Our main goal is the 'triple crown;' all three championships in cross country, indoor, and outdoor. With discipline, we can make it.
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