Marie Louise Ritson – Learning All The Countries In Africa

Dive: Scholar - Geography (Africa)
Description: Knows the geography of Africa
Level: Level 1
Level Requirements: Can name all of the countries in Africa
Certified On: Mar 16, 2021

Editor’s Note: On all dive certifications, we try to edit the writing as little as possible to preserve authenticity, personality, and writing style. We typically fix spelling errors, but minimally modify grammar and sentence structure (just enough to ensure readability).

Name: Marie Louise Ritson Break Diving Level: Recruit Number of Certified Dives: 2 From: United Kingdom In: United Kingdom

1. When and Why Did You Decide to Pursue This Dive At This Level? What was your inspiration and motivation?

I chose this dive when I was looking through the list of dives and I saw this one. I love learning about different countries in the world and I thought it would look like fun to do this one.

2. How Long Did It Take For You To Accomplish This Dive At This Level From The Day You Decided To Pursue It, And Why Did It Take That Long?

It took me a couple of weeks since deciding. First I googled some resources on the internet. I found a file on ‘teacherspayteachers’ site which had the countries of Africa, along with the flags, capital cities and silhouette outlines of the countries. I printed it and laminated it. I then put them in alphabetical order and started to memorise them. It took about an hour to memorise them in alphabetical order. I’ve never tried to list all the countries in Africa like this before – but I have worked on a puzzle map of Africa so already knew most of the country names so it was just a case of memorising them as a list.

3. What Was The Hardest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

I think the hardest part was that it got a bit frustrating when I was trying to video myself saying them, and I kept missing one out. So I had to do lots of takes. But I knew I’d get there if I kept practising.

4. What Was The Easiest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

I was actually quite surprised at how easy this dive was. I think having them in alphabetical order definitely helped as once I knew which letter was next and how many there should be that begin with that letter it was easy to remember them.

5. What Is Your Advice For Someone Who Is Pursuing This Dive And Level?

I would say if you if you are trying to memorise the countries in Africa., definitely download yourself some flashcards and put them in alphabetical order.

6. What Are Some Of The Best Resources You Recommend to Those Pursuing This Dive At This Level, And Why Do You Recommend Them? Please Include Relevant Weblinks, If Applicable.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/MATCHING-GAME-BUNDLE-The-flags-capital-cities-and-countries-of-the-WORLD-6228004

This bundle has all the countries of the world in it, organised by continents. But you can also get just the Africa set for $3.

You can also find many free dive resources for this dive on the Geography – Africa handbook on Break Diving.

Resource 1: Break Diving - Come and talk with lots of people from the various countries in Africa.

Resource 2: Teachers Pay Teachers African Countries - This is a learning set for all countries in Africa.

Resource 3: -

Resource 4: -

Resource 5: -

7. Tell Us A Story Of One Of Your Adventures While Pursuing This Dive (At This Level).

Hmm, it’s pretty tricky to tell a story about this one as it’s purely a memorising activity which is pretty quick.

But I guess my love for Africa came when I was living in Tanzania. I think if you have an interest for a country you naturally learn about it and the countries surrounding it.

As part of my girls’ homeschool equipment, we have a wooden puzzle with removable pieces for each country. My girls often know more countries than I do – but hopefully now I will be able to beat them on the Africa map!

8. What Evidence Did You Submit to Prove You Met the Requirements for This Dive and Level?

A member of the dive committee tested me twice, live, on zoom, with nothing behind me, no one else in the room, with my eyes closed, my hands covering my eyes, and 5 feet from the computer. The first time I missed about 5 of them; the next time, a few days later, I got them all.

9. Will You Be Pursuing The Next Level For This Dive? If Yes, Why? If Not, Why Not?

Yes, definitely. The next step is capital cities, so I will work on that once this one gets approved. That one will be much harder for me as I only know about 3 of them at the minute! I also want to reach level one for the other continents too – it would be cool to be able to list all the countries in the world!

10. What is the Break Diver's Creed?

No Rules. No Excuses. No Regrets.

Certificate photo:

And having made this post, and provided adequate evidence to the dive committee, Marie Louise Ritson is now hereby certified by Break Diving, Inc. as: Scholar - Geography (Africa) - Level 1. Congratulations ! Thank you for being an inspiration to others!

Certificate number: 78

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