Submitted by Stephanie Nally on the 2014 winter session study abroad program in South Africa sponsored by the Department of Human Services and Family Studies and the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics…
I have now spent two and a half weeks in South Africa. It kills me to think about the fact that this experience is already half over. If I could stay for another two months, I would. Classes and placements are well underway now. I am in the HRIM class along with the history class. HRIM is taught by Dr. Kwansa in the hotel reception room and history is taught by Karen Harris at the University of Pretoria. The campus is truly beautiful and vibrant. I would love to take more than one class there just so I could admire and feel like I was a part of it for more than such a short time. As far as placements, I am really enjoying myself with the children. They are so easily pleased and it doesn’t take much to make them smile. Knowing I can make them laugh for a few hours a day gives me a feeling of satisfaction and pure happiness. It is just so rewarding.
Along with classes, we have had a few talks with guest speakers at the hotel. The topics are usually on Apartheid and Mandela. Yesterday, however, we heard a woman speak about marriages and ceremonies in certain South African cultures. It all has been extremely informative and enriching. Our next upcoming event will be the much-anticipated safari. I am looking forward to seeing what else this once in a lifetime experience has to offer!