@Wendz..interesting view point, let me give my contribution..In the School i want to (Read Uni) we were indeed encouraged to be proud of our achievements but however we were cautioned that not every-one will accept, infact the very mere fact, will be treated with disdain, contempt almost that i have seen all too well in my life as well as Wazua. That said
we are a product of our experiences this sums as all..here is why, my experience in Uni and later life.
On one hand, life revolved around hours slogging away in the library, messy club nights and copious quantities of cheap wine. On the very opposite end of the scale, real food and an escape from college bureaucracy awaited tantalisingly at home. The alternative realities of the average student split us down the center.
The Ivy switch-over is a little more off the rails than normal. It’s rather bemusing to go from an environment where a disproportionately large percentage of the population have a doctorate, a penchant for smart casual trousers, waist-coats and a nicely beveled brogue, to the normal world, in which trackies, jeans & mini-skirts are more realistic attire.
The Ivy “bubble” looms large. Although not a campus university, the general consensus amongst students is that the colleges’ dominance over a compact city center creates a sometimes stifling atmosphere.
As our term came to an end, a conversation unfolded about how home provides “nothing to do”, and how the college's 24/7 barrage of activity is welcome relief from siblings that “drive us nuts”.
Once we become accustomed to the eight-week blitz, it seems, any slower pace of living – i.e. anything besides a career in the NY, London or Singapore – drags by painfully.
I don’t think my experience here is much outside the Normal Distribution. In the mtaa I call home,(Msee was Starehe) the reading material of choice is well nothing. Obohos,girls ho-ing, and the football-pitch is the hub of the universe on a sunny Saturday afternoon. My "new' world, makes The Kiss FM’Classic FM trivia, look positively enthralling. As I wave good-bye to Uni at the end of each term, the rapid deceleration in the pace of life is very noticeable.
So i asked myself? Does the experience change throughout a university career? Does one simply accept the fact that home and college life/work are pretty much irreconcilable, and learn to treat one’s role in each differently?
Well i have had to do so...my point is which you drove all too well, what may seem "Normal" to me, may not be in another s eyes..however do i stifle myself to make you feel comfortable???
Do i not share my contributions, speak of my experiences for fear of sounding elitist??
I am not saying i am, but am posing a question, @Djinn raised a fundamental point "attitude and ego" contribute to the differences we see in terms of how we relate/see one another.
So back to my point regarding our experinces, now imagine that Kenyan who works in Nasa, or a kenyan chick i know is a top dawg in CISCO, if they were to go and say open their companies in Kenya, make a trip to Sheria house, what would you think will happen, name calling, threats?? For people who are used to operating a a high level- where excuses do not exist then..you will notice the difference through their words and attitudes..trust me i know.
The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence; it is to act with yesterday's logic.