So incase you haven't heard I'm studying abroad in South Africa next semester! I'll be abroad from Feb. 2nd to May 22nd, along with a two week trip in Europe two weeks before hand. I'll be flying into Paris Jan. 19th and me and three of my future South Africa roommates are staying a few days each in Paris, Rome, and Athens. Then we'll be flying down to start our semester in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
The reason I choose to study abroad in SA was because I knew it would be a unique experience. I was almost set on going to Ireland, but then I decided that I could visit Ireland some other time, but South Africa might be a bit harder to reach as a tourist. What appealed most to me about this program is that it has a volunteer experience, where I can volunteer at an AIDS haven and an elementary school. Since I've been accepted I've found out I can do A TON of other super cool stuff, such as: jump off the worlds highest bungy jump, learn how to surf, go scuba diving, watch the Ironman South Africa, visit other cool Africa countries, climb mountains, take awesome classes to learn more about SA, observe the remaining racism left over from the Apartheid government, go to a game reserve, attend soccer and cricket matches, travel to Cape town (for a jazz festival), Durbin (where 2010 World Cup Soccer will be played), and the frontier, in additions to many others.
The program is completely based through our school. I will be in SA with all St. Ben's and St. John's students, in addition to two professors from our school. We will be enrolled in Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and will take a few classes with professors of that university. The classes I'm taking are South Africa Music/Jazz, South Africa Politics, South Africa Literature, and Senior Seminar (where we will be reading books by Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela). We will also get credit for volunteering at the AIDS Haven, called House of Resurrection, and Pendela Elementary School. I believe we've raised about $2,000 for both of these places, so we can buy them more supplies and also add to a fund to expand the AIDS Haven building.
Oh yes, I almost forgot. I'll be traveling to Rome and I plan on seeing John Paul II's tomb. If there's any intentions you have that you'd like me to pray for when I visit just send me a note and I'd be happy to pray for you!
Welp, that's all I got for now. I'll be soaking up the rest of the time I have in Duluth and then I'll be flying out. Next time I write I'll probably be out of the country. I'll post my address soon if you want to send my any snail mail, otherwise my e-mail address is nareed@csbsju.edu. Feel free to give my blog link to anyone you think would enjoy reading it. God Bless!
No comments:
Post a Comment