Second Nature

We rarely think about things that come to us as second nature. The way we breathe, walk, put on shoes, clothes and more, all have become mindless and automatic tasks for us across the years.

As I have been here in Zambezi I was tasked with teaching the computer class. With the help of previous Zags there was a well established curriculum of what has been taught before with essential computer skills, largely revolving around the Microsoft Suite, Word, PowerPoint & Excel. Using these tools and apps everyday have made them extremely familiar and learning the basics is long lost memory, therefore I was prepared to take a step back and be conscious about deeply explaining the skills and language that come so natural to me to make sure my students were learning the essential skills.

Little did I know these expectations and assumptions could not prepare me for the challenges of teaching computers that I was going to face. On the first day when opening computers I asked each of my students to start their computer and open up Word. After seeing some computers open and some futile keyboard presses I realized that this task was not a simple one. Even after hearing that many students had never used a computer or a keyboard, I didn’t fully grasp what this meant for my students. They didn’t know to press the space bar to open the computer, hit enter to submit a password, know what application is Word, what button on the mouse to click or how to quickly double click to open the app. I had failed to recognize the experience or lack thereof of my students and took off before students had reached their seats.

This sparked a reflection on how our lives are so different and how technology had become an extension of our bodies but not that does not apply for my Zambian students. I had to find the vocabulary necessary to define words and actions that are fundamental to my understanding of computers.

Being here it is clear that there are significant and obvious differences between us and our Zambian neighbors, however, throughout my time here I have largely created many connections through our shared humanity. Nevertheless, my classes and learning more about others have made me more aware of the smaller differences between us that are harder to notice. I have seen how there are many aspects of Zambians human nature that are extremely foreign to me. Through exploring those, asking questions amongst each other and being curious about each other’s second nature I have made the strongest connections.

Some of the aspects of Zambians second nature I observed are; the mamas start a braiser with their eyes closed, grab hot coals and not even flinch and decapitate a chicken without blinking an eye. I have also noticed how it is in Zambian’s second nature to greet everyone as they walk by or ever enter any space. I have noticed the importance that they put in checking in on other’s families and boasting about the successes their children and friends have achieved with great pride. These elements of their second nature are things that are not in my common nature and when I have been asked to do them I have felt like a deer in headlights, just as my students on day one. Yet embracing that uncertainty and learning how to start a braiser, asking questions about others families, and checking in on how other’s days are going have deepened my connections with Zambians and Zags.

As I have allowed students to question my second nature, I have been greatly inspired by my their ability to learn and adapt quickly. Now I am watching them double click without thinking about it, changing fonts and making lists without me having to point out which button it is and much more. While they are not computer gurus, they have grown so much in the past week and I know will continue to do so. And while from an outside perspective, including mine before I arrived here, I may still think they know little to nothing about computers. Yet, as they made me aware of how my assumptions of their previous knowledge were unfair, it is clear that they have learned so much, as before I mistakingly assumed their second nature was the same as mine.

All this to say that even while in anticipation of coming here I was making a conscious effort to limit expectations and come ready to teach computers from a basic level; nevertheless, I was unaware of expectations I had made as they are so engrained in my human nature. I do believe that it is impossible to come into a new place, prepare for a class and arrive ready to serve while having no expectations or reasonable expectations. That does not mean it shouldn’t be a part of your preparation for a trip to a new place as a servant leader to remove and be aware of your expectations. Finding intentional practices that help you notice subconscious actions that may influence your presence or purpose in the new place will help you be better prepared to serve. For example, I could have more intentionally prepared lessons by walking through each step and making note of every action I take with a computer, actively noticing actions I take without thinking and being ready to explain them. 

Even after making this intentional effort it is important to be ready to face assumptions you have made that are wrong, shortcuts or practices that come to you as second nature that will be met with confusion and very uncertain nods. As a result the most important thing that I have learned so far is to create space for questioning and uncertainty. Continuing to reinforce the importance of asking questions and being alright with not knowing. This is something that I have needed to foster within my students but also myself. Asking questions to the Zambians and Zags around me about what they do that I don’t understand. Questioning others second nature I think can often lead to the greatest learning as it teaches the skills that they fundamentally expect you to know when they teach you more, enabling deeper connections with less confusion and greater understanding.

So continue to question, dive into uncertainty and learn about others second nature. 

To all the family and friends back home I love you and miss you.

Charlie Herman ’26