Introduction from Alex

Hi! My name is Alex Collins and I am a junior at the University of Connecticut. I’m double majoring in Anthropology and French, with a minor in Women’s Studies. I actually didn’t hear of this program until I had an advising meeting with Marita who I was assigned to for my Women Studies minor. We met to discuss my plan of study and she began telling me about Cape Town and I was immediately hooked. I studied abroad in Paris last year and gained so much from the experience so I knew that I would love to go abroad again. What really drew me to this program in particular, however, was the opportunity to be involved in an internship three days a week. I love nothing more than being hands on and really being able to make a difference in people’s lives. I really felt like by participating in this program I’d be able to do just that. I love to travel to new places, meet new people, and gain new outlooks on life, and I think by going to Cape Town I will be able to see all of that. Not only will we gain knowledge through books, but also through hands on experiences, which I think is amazing!

When I left my meeting with Marita I knew I was supposed to go to South Africa (or at least apply!). I’m a strong believer in signs, and I didn’t have a doubt that this was one. I’ve always had a passion to travel to new places, meet and study people, and learn anything and everything I can about my surroundings. I hope that by going to Cape Town I’ll be able to do that, and also have a positive impact on the community around me. There’s nothing more important to me than giving to others anyway I can, and through this program I think I’ll have the opportunity to do just that.

It’s only two weeks away until I step foot in Cape Town and I am SO excited. I can’t wait to spend the next few months with some amazing peers while making a difference, and enjoying the fabulous Cape Town! 

Brittany's introduction

Hello Everyone! My name is Brittany Kerr and I am a junior at the University of Connecticut. My majors are History and Human Rights. I first heard about this opportunity through a friend who had previously participated in the program. When she described how she engaged in human rights through an internship and took classes dealing with social issues, I thought this may be something I would enjoy. I was considering studying abroad in my junior year and Cape Town seemed like the perfect opportunity to engage in human rights and work in a meaningful internship. In addition, I was excited to visit the country of South Africa and learn from their long struggle with racism and oppression.

           

Ever since I was accepted into the program, I have been caught up in a whirlwind of excitement. There is so much preparation for a three month trip. However, the effort put into going is priceless in comparison to the experiences I will have. This program is unique not only in its location but in its focus on human rights. This internship will allow me to work with human rights by helping others realize their rights. While I am looking forward to helping, I am also looking forward to learning from my experiences in South Africa. The internship will prepare me for a future in human rights law by allowing me to work with law. Also, in working with labor and gender rights cases, I will be able to use the law to help others achieve their rights. Finally, I am looking forward to learning about the people and the culture of South Africa.

            When I leave on January 12, I hope to enter into an unforgettable experience where I will build friendships, learn about South Africa and learn about myself.

Kimmi's introduction

Hello! My name is Kimmi! My major is pre-elementary education. I wish to become a Kindergarten teacher one day! What drew me most to this study abroad program was the internship where I will be teaching in a classroom setting three days a week. I'm so excited to be in a different country and being able to observe how they value education over in South Africa. I believe that this is going to be a life changing experience. I can't wait to begin. I know that there will be many challenges on the way missing my friends, family and boyfriend. But in the end I hope to gain more insight to different cultures and people and also I hope to grow from this amazing experience. I was also drawn to this particular program because it is South Africa! It's all the way across the world, I have never been or traveled anywhere as unique or different as South Africa. When I was learning about it in my pre-departure class it just got me more and more excited. I love all the students I will be going with as well and I can't wait to get to know them

Amariliz's Introduction

HELLO!!!  I am Amariliz Jurado, I am an MCB Major. I have been planning to study abroad since spring semester of my freshman year. I originally found this program with the help of a good friend and mentor Luis Ramos. I was considering going to Europe or South America but he suggested I expand my mind. He found this program and ever since it has been on my top list of programs to do. I have set up my schedule so I can afford to study abroad and not take any science classes and still graduate on time.

After talking to people who have previously participated in this program and seeing their overall satisfaction, I was really motivated to apply.  Talking to these previous participants assured me that this was the type of program I have been searching for. I knew that I wanted to travel the world but always with the intention of making a difference: of being useful and this program provides both of those requirements.

Ever since my acceptance I have not been able to shake this happy anxiety and I cannot wait to find myself in Cape Town and learn all that there is to learn, both about myself and about others. It still feels a little surreal but after the whole process application, interview and the class I know that I made the correct decision and cannot wait to see it through.

 I VERY EXCITED!!!!  It hasn’t really hit me that I will not be in this country next semester but it will as soon as I land in South Africa.

Dan's Introduction

My name is Dan, I’m a senior double majoring in Anthropology and Psychology. This program caught my eye last school year when a couple of my friends participated in it. I loved how the program was unique in the sense that it catered to every participant’s interests while still allowing a collective group dynamic to develop. Plus, Cape Town is beautiful and has a ton of outdoor activities. I have been involved in the outdoors my entire life, most recently in the UConn Outing Club, and have already looked up the University of Cape Town’s version of the Outing Club: the UCT Mountain and Ski Club! I am also really excited about having an internship within the Cape Town community. When going abroad, I have always wanted to do more than just live somewhere; I want to be engaged in the community at a level deeper than that of a tourist or visitor. This program allows a unique opportunity for that, and I believe the internship is going to make the difference in making this an amazing, incomparable experience. In addition, I ultimately want to work for a non-profit organization after I graduate, so my work in Cape Town will surely help that goal.

Speaking of graduation, as a senior, I am pushing my graduation date back a semester in order to participate in this program. That has been a very difficult decision for me, as I am well grounded at UConn and will be missing my last chance to live surrounded by the friends I have grown with for the past seven semesters. Such a concern, however, will only last as long as the plane rides to Cape Town, because as soon as I get there the beautiful landscape, people, and culture will overtake me. While I am going to cherish my upcoming time off this winter to spend time with friends and family who I will be leaving, I am very excited to embark on what will surely be an experience of a lifetime. 

Mackenzie's introduction

Hello! I’m Mackenzie and my major is psychology! I am so excited to get on that plane and begin this awesome journey! We have known about our acceptance for a few months now, and soon it will become reality. Lately I have gotten so distracted with school work that I forget where I am headed in a month, but when I remember I feel excited, nervous, and blessed J. I remember attending the symposium and calling my mom immediately after because I seriously could not contain my excitement. I knew this was something I wanted to do, it touched my heart immediately.

I have felt over the last few years I have been very introspective. While this is incredibly important, I feel that can only get you so far. At some point I knew it was time to extend my energy outwards. I am a firm believer that the only way to feel love is to give love, and what better way to give love than to help those who truly need it? I feel that in our culture we tend to limit how much love and care we give to others, and it does nothing good for our well beings. I am so fortunate for my education, family, friends, warm bed, food, security – it is only fair that I reach out to those who may not have all those things. We all are life, we all are one, and it feels right to dedicate my attention and care to another. That is why, selfishly, this trip feels like a treat for me J. I also wanted to go on this trip because I knew it would challenge me, and more importantly than giving it would push me to learn. I know so little about other cultures and issues around the world, and this is such an amazing opportunity to learn about them. I’m hoping to learn about myself, about the people of South Africa, and about life in general. UCONN is a lovely place, but there is only so much I can learn from sitting in a classroom J. The best way to learn is to immerse yourself in a new environment, and that is what we will get to do. 

I ultimately hope to learn more about this beautiful world I get to live in, while growing as a person and learning how to contribute in a positive way.

I can’t wait to get there!!

CPT 2012 Internship Placements

Click on the name of the internship placement to visit the website where you can learn more about the organization, click on the name of a co-educator to read her or his personal introduction.

	Co-educator	Internship Placement
1	Alex	Beautiful Gate
2	Amariliz	Tafelsig Community Clinic
3	Becky	Thandokhulu Senior Secondary School
4	Brandi	Christel House
5	Brittany	State Attorney’s Office
6	Dan	City Mission Educational Service
7	Erica	City Mission Educational Service
8	Kelsey	Thandokhulu Senior Secondary School
9	Kenzie	Christel House
10	Kimmi	Christel House
11	Kristin	Maitland Cottage Hospital
12	Maria	Thandokhulu Senior Secondary School
13	Meika	Black Sash
14	Michael	Cape Argus
15	Nellie	Christel House
16	Nicole	Vera School
17	Rebecca	Christel House
18	Rina	The Children’s Resources Centre
19	Ryan	Tafelsig Community Clinic
20	Sam	Christel House
21	Theresa	Network on Violence Against Women

Twenty-one enthusiastic co-educators/co-learners are preparing to study abroad.

Alex, Amariliz, Becky, Brandi, Brittany, Dan, Erica, Kelsey, Kenzi, Kimmi, Kristen, Maria, Meika, Michael, Nellie, Nicole, Rebecca, Rina, Ryan, Sam, and Theresa will soon be heading to South Africa for their 2012 study abroad semester.  Drawing on the university’s core value of Human Rights, the Cape Town Study Abroad Program provides a unique opportunity for students to learn about themselves while expanding their world view, working for social justice and gaining skills essential to becoming well-informed global citizens.

Description of the program from the UConn Study Abroad Website 

The Program
Since the early 1990s, South Africa has witnessed sweeping changes in its political and cultural landscape. Once stigmatized as a racist regime and egregious violator of human rights, it is now celebrated as one of the most tolerant nations on earth with one of the most progressive constitutions in the world. South Africa's constitution is indeed the only one with specific language on women's rights, children's rights, workers' rights, health care rights, education rights, and environmental and conservation justice. While Pretoria is the seat of the South African government, Cape Town is the site of parliament, and it is this magnificently beautiful city nestled between sandy beaches and gorgeous mountain tops that will provide the setting for this UConn Study Abroad program and the first UConn program outside of Western Europe.


UConn in Cape Town draws on the University of Connecticut's core value of Human Rights. It will immerse you into the living history of South Africa by directly involving you in institutions that are wrestling with South Africa's troubled past and creating a modern, democratic civil society. At the heart of the program is a three-day per week internship. You will work in a non-governmental agency whose mission is to address issues of social injustice as it impacts upon formerly disenfranchised South Africans, women, children, workers, and the environment. While you will not choose your internship, every effort will be made to place you in an agency that matches your interest and skill set.



The Academics
You will receive nine UConn graded and five or six ungraded (S/U) credits on this program, for a total of 14 credits. Six of these credits will be Honors. You do not, however, have to be part of the Honors Program to participate in this program. With the exception of the internship, the courses will take place at the University of Cape Town, where you will be enrolled as a non-degree seeking student, which will enable you to use the library, the gym, the computer facilities, and the student union. The credits will be issued as follows:

• POLS 3255 [244]: Politics of South Africa (3 Credits. Fulfills general education requirement for content area 2). Instructor: Mr. Vincent Williams, IDASA. This course will provide a broad theoretical and contextual framework against which you will be able to analyse and interpret your internship and general experience in South Africa. It will provide an introduction to and overview of the historical development of the social, political and economics of South Africa. It will also outline the various challenges and obstacles facing South Africa, focusing on social and economic themes. It will describe and reflect on the role of South Africa in relationship to the rest of Southern Africa. Finally, this course will provide you with a forum to engage in discussion about broader, social political, economic and cultural dynamics in South Africa.
• WS 3998. Variable Topics: Race and Gender in a Global Perspective (3 Honors Credits). Instructor: Dr. Marita McComiskey. This course will explore the construction and reproduction of gender inequality in a global perspective. We will study the social position and relations of women and men (political, economic, cultural and familial) by analyzing the diversity of women's and men's experiences across class, racial-ethnic groups, sexualities, cultures, and regions. 
• INTD 3985 [290]: Special Topics: South African Internship: Field Study (5 Credits; S/U). Internship Coordinator: Rev. Vernon Rose. You will work three days per week for 12 weeks. You will be assigned an agency supervisor, who will mentor you and monitor your work. There will be several short assignments associated with this internship, and a weekly journal.  
• INTD 3784 [291]: Interdisciplinary Seminar: Internship: Research Seminar (3 Honors Credits). Instructor: Rev. Vernon Rose. Coupled with the internship experience, you will be asked to select a research project tied to the internship host provider. The content of this project will be determined through consultation with your field supervisor. Ideally, the project should provide some substantial contribution to the sponsoring organization. Internship placements are selected by the Cape Town Coordinator after interviewing students to determine which specific site will best meet their needs, interests, and majors. A description of the proposed project, its purpose, its value to the organization, and a tentative time table for completion will be submitted to, and in consultation with the Internship Coordinator early in the semester. At the end of the semester, you submit a copy of the project together with a description of how it was completed and how it is intended to benefit the organization.

The UConn Cape Town Program includes a 1 credit Pre-Study Abroad Course, a 1 credit On-site Study Abroad Course and an optional 1 credit Post-Study Abroad Course.  The pre-departure course will explore strategies for adapting to a new culture and tactics for getting the most from an internship experience. This 6-week course will also provide an opportunity to get to know others who will be living and working with you during the spring semester. The fall semester post-study abroad course will provide an opportunity to reflect upon how the knowledge, skills and experiences gained from living and learning in Cape Town can be most beneficially incorporated into future academic, personal, and professional life plans.

• WS 3993: UConn in Cape Town Pre-Study Abroad
 (1 credit) Fall 2011 Designed to explore strategies for adjusting and adapting to a new culture and discuss tactics for getting the most from an internship experience. Students will meet once a week for the final six weeks of this semester at a time to be determined by the participants.
• WS 3993: UConn in Cape Town Study Abroad (1 credit) Spring 2012 Designed to facilitate the work of adjusting to culture shock, pursuing personal and professional goals while fitting in; and learning about one"s own culture while becoming immersed in another. 
• WS 3993: UConn in Cape Town Post-Study Abroad (1 credit) Fall 2012 This companion course for Honors in Cape Town returning students designed to explore ways to best incorporate the knowledge, skills, and experiences gained from the study abroad experience into future academic, professional and personal life plans while discovering effective ways to fit a new self into an old environment. 

The Experience
As a participant in this program, you, and other UConn participants, will live in a fully-furnished house within easy access to public transportation, which will bring most of you to your internship sites. The house is located in Rondebosch, Cape Town's southern suburb where the university is located. The house is about a 30 minute walk to good shopping and a 35-40 minute walk to the university. This Study Abroad experience will also include a week-long excursion during the semester break. There will also be some shorter field trips.

UConn Study Abroad in Cape Town

Congratulations to those selected to participate in the 

2012 UConn Study Abroad Program in Cape Town, South Africa. 

Table Mountain as viewed from Robben Island