Introduction from Nellie

Aloha! My name is Nellie, I'm a junior majoring in Sociology & Women's Studies. The anecdote I always tell when people ask, 'Why South Africa', is this:

  

 An angsty freshman saunters into Marita's office excited to declare her Women's Studies major, completely unaware of the journey it would take her on. After a few hours of inspiring conversation the topic of study abroad comes up, she proudly states, 'I want to study abroad in Australia!', Marita furrows her brow and asks, 'Why?' She responds that it would be nice to trade a Storrs winter for nice beaches. Marita smiles knowingly and coyly asks if she knows what a Blue Flag beach is, she shakes her head no, Marita takes her iPhone off of the desk and shows a photo of coastal paradise, and boasts, South Africa has 29. After an hour of Marita's best heart-filled Cape Town plug she leaves the building floating on air & calls her mother & informs her that she will be going to Cape Town in two years. 

If you had not already guessed the aforementioned freshman is me, and that is really how I decided to come to Cape Town, honestly there was no real decision, it just clicked in my head that this is what I would do, and I've been counting down ever since. Her enthusiasm of this program and genuine love of South Africa ooze out of her pores, and over the years I've gotten just about as excited and ready for a trip that a person can be. As a sociology major, South Africa is mecca for studying the construction of race, deviance, and culture. I'm still undecided what my honors thesis will be on & I have the feeling that I'll leave this trip with a clear idea in mind. 

I'm an RA on campus & after three years of living and working in the freshman grotto, frankly I'm just excited for a change of pace. I'm going into this trip with the attitude of just saying 'Yes'. To opportunities, adventures, outings, yes, yes, yes. African sunshine here I come.

Marita was also the person who introduced me to the idea of the summer study abroad program in Guatemala, which I had the fortune of participating in (with Dan actually!) last summer which was a truly amazing experience, I've been told this experience will blow it out of the water so I'm really excited to get on that plane tomorrow!

Kelsey's Introduction

Hey everyone! My name is Kelsey Halvorson and I am leaving for Cape Town tomorrow! It hasn't even hit me yet that this time tomorrow I will be on a plane on my way there! I've been told it will all hit me once i'm on the plane which is a bit nerve-racking. I cannot put to words my feelings on being given the opportunity to live out my life long dream in hours. I have been dreaming of experiencing Africa since I can remember. What makes it even better is that I will be making a difference in the community and myself. I am unbelievably excited for what's ahead of me! 

I am a junior at UCONN with a major in history and eventually secondary education. I'm considering minoring in women studies but that is still up in the air. My internship in South Africa is going to be working in Thandokhulu Secondary School in Mowbray which just puts the icing on the cake so to speak. It'll give me the perfect chance to practice my teaching skills and get some real first hand experience which will both help me throughout my future as a teacher. I mean it really doesn't get much better than that. As amazing as the next three and a half months are going to be, leaving behind all my friends and family isn't going to be easy. As soon as I get there I know it'll become so much easier though. As independent as I like to think I can be, I am so happy that there is Skype.  Keeping in contact with everyone back home is going to be really nice. I have a bunch more packing to do so i'll be writing more soon. 

Less than twelve hours until take off and counting AHHHHH :)   

Michael's Introduction

Hello all, I am about to live, study, volunteer, and work alongside twenty fellow University of Connecticut students in Cape Town, South Africa. We will be there for approximately four months. I will be posting entries to this blog throughout my time there.

I am jittery with anticipation for what I am about to start, there will be countless memories and fun to be had. Which is all well and good but honesty I am most excited for the potential personal growth that can spawn from what I am about to see and do. 

As an American I am privileged, and I am well aware of this, however I know I am not realistic or thankful enough for all that is afforded to me. The potential for growth in this area came to my attention when I was waiting for anti-malaria medication this past week. I had to wait in my doctors office for an hour and half and as time went by I became progressively more annoyed at the situation. Looking back I am embarrassed at how absurd my anger was. I was about to receive preventative care for a disease that kills millions. Unfortunately this is only one example of the ungrateful American condition manifesting itself in my everyday attitude, hopefully this will be curbed while I am abroad. 

I imagine the trip will be memorable, but I hope I leave with more than just memories. I hope that I come away with a more realistic and appreciative view of the world.

Ryan's intro

Hi my name is Ryan King and I am a junior majoring in allied health sciences at Uconn. 

In a few days from now we will be departing to Cape Town, South Africa to begin our four month journey into a unique study abroad experience that I am sure will be a life changing experience for all of us. Initially I had no intentions of studying abroad when first coming to Uconn, but over this past summer I had decided to ponder the idea of learning and living in a foreign country and thus began my quest for the perfect program.

 I first heard of this program through a friend of mine who participated last spring and had nothing but exciting stories to tell. After the study abroad fair and talking with other past participants, I knew that I had found the program for me and that I was ready to apply right away. What caught my eye the most however wasn’t that we will be staying in one of the most beautiful places in the world or the fact that my parents grew up in South Africa, but the internship opportunity that we are offered to help out others and the continuing campaign for human rights around the world. I was extremely excited when I found out that I was accepted into this program in October and even more when I found out that I will be interning at Tafelsig Community Clinic allowing me to help others get the care they need while gaining an invaluable insight and experience into health care field that I hope to become a part of one day.

As the 12^th approaches, the day when we will all be reunited at JFK international, the wide range of emotions that I have been feeling becomes stronger and stronger. Emotions of excitement stem from the adventures that lie ahead, becoming a more independent person, meeting new people and family, visiting a new country, and working at the clinic. The nervous feelings that accompany this journey for me will be from the large distance from home, missing friends and family, adjusting to a new culture, and living with new people.

With the trip planned and all set for us to arrive on the 13th, I am far from ready in terms of packing and saying goodbyes, but well prepared to make the best of this opportunity and experience of a lifetime!

Maria's Introducion

My name is Maria Bartolotta, and I am a junior majoring in English and minoring in Spanish.

I am writing this a little less than 24 hours before take off, and I still can't believe I'm really going. Even though it still seems so unreal, I am so incredibly excited to spend a semester in Cape Town. I went into college pretty sure that I didn't want to study abroad at all, but had a total change of heart once I learned more about this specific program from friends who had done it before. Once I realized that I definitely wanted to spend a semester abroad, I looked at other programs that might have more to do with my Spanish minor, or programs that were offered in the fall instead (which works better with my swim schedule), but I wasn't as excited or invested in the idea of studying abroad when I thought of doing any other program. UConn in Cape Town is what got me excited about studying abroad in the first place, and I soon knew that if I was going to study abroad at all, it would be in South Africa. I feel like this program has exactly what I was looking for in a semester away from my home at UConn and I am just as excited to learn and grow as I am to teach and give.

I really don't know what to expect yet, but I'm ready to dive in head-first and step way out of my comfort zone, or at least brace myself for this! I'm going to miss my family, friends, swim team, school, and the basketball games so much that I'm almost nervous, but I know that pure excitement is going to kick in and outweigh everything else. My friends from last year's trip and the year before have been such a big help to me... from telling me that the program is out there, to emotional support, to how to fit everything in my suitcase... I have been very lucky to have them in this process so far. Getting to know the people on our trip is also something that I'm looking forward to. Tomorrow!! Wow!

Nicole's Introduction

Hello! My name is Nicole Hellthaler and I am a sophomore. 

I have always dreamed of working with children, particularly those that are disabled. As a communication disorders major, I am on my way to becoming a speech pathologist. This is the only time while at the University of Connecticut that I can study abroad, so I jumped on the opportunity to go to a place I have never been before. I have never left the country, and was the child crying at my preschool graduation because I hated change. 

Now, I want nothing more than to go to Cape Town. After the study abroad fair, I knew this was the only place I wanted to go. Besides Cape Town being absolutely beautiful, the fact that we would have an internship as well as an activist project stood out to me. I loved that we would be working with and giving back to people in South Africa. Giving to others is extremely important to me, and I could not believe that my dream of leaving the country and my love of helping others were mixed into one opportunity.

While in Cape Town, I am looking forward to my internship working with autistic children. I also cannot wait to go into the townships and talk to people who have been through more than I can imagine. At times I know it is going to be hard, but I think it will also be very inspiring. Although we are going to help, I think those in South Africa are going to teach me more than I could ever imagine. Although I am nervous to leave the people I care about, I am so excited for this amazing adventure that I get to share with my best friend and my soon-to-be great friends.

Introduction from Kristin

Hello, my name is Kristin! I am a junior at UConn majoring in Biology and minoring in Psychology.

The UConn in Cape Town program only came to my attention this past fall when I went to the Study Abroad Fair. I was actually planning on going to South Africa with a different program that I had become familiar with during the Spring semester of 2011.  It might have been luck that I stumbled upon the information table for UConn in Cape Town, but once I did there was no turning back.  Over the past few semesters, I have become more and more interested in politics and human rights, trying to somehow integrate these with what I am currently focusing on in my studies at UConn.  This program is not only a study abroad but it is an internship abroad!  It is a great opportunity for me to be working at Maitland Cottage Hospital, I am so excited to be working with children and I suspect it will be a life changing experience. What I also love about this program was seeing how much it really moved the past participants.  I remember sitting in the audience at the symposium, listening to some of their stories and seeing the raw emotion radiate from them. It hooked me even more.  

I am nervous but I think it's more of an excited nervous, and writing about it makes me even more excited. It is still very surreal to me, I can't believe I will be in South Africa in less than 3 days! I am pretty much all packed and ready to go, I bought my SPF 50 sunscreen so hopefully I wont burn to a crisp when I step off the plane.

I will miss my family and friends back here but I know we will Skype and talk throughout my adventures.  I also plan on making a lot of new relationships in Cape Town and getting closer to everyone from UConn as we will be living and experiencing this together for the next few months.  I'm not exactly sure of what to expect but I am open to new people and new experiences. I want to do as much as possible and I know I share this same desire with my other co-educators! I have only heard great things about Cape Town and this program, I hope it doesn't go by too fast and to never take a second for granted!!

Rina's Intro

Rina Patel; Junior (third year); Biology major

Hello everyone! I thought I’d list out the top three important pieces of information so I can get to the good stuff! I am super excited about going to South Africa, especially so because of the study abroad program that I’m participating in; Uconn in Cape Town.  This specific program offers more than just living and studying in a different country, but also valuable experiences and opportunities. 

 I wanted to study abroad with this program because it combined many of my interests.  Learning about other cultures is something I enjoy, and a better way to learn is to immerse yourself into it! I love traveling as well and I place importance on helping others- because we are so lucky/blessed/fortunate, I think we should “share the wealth.”

I hope to learn more about myself, and refine my ideas about my life goals and the steps I need to take in order to achieve them. This program is the best fit for me because it will help me to better myself.

I’m nervous but excited about my internship.  My placement is with the Children’s Resource Center, teaching students about environmental conservation.  This is another connection with my interests and future, because I hope to be involved with these types of efforts. 

I’m the most excited about the activist project.  I hope to do something artistic with the South African children, maybe with poetry.  I also want to help out at a clinic or with the Red Cross. 

            

I can’t wait! Let’s go already!

Introduction from Brandi

Hi everyone! My name is Brandi Stenglein and I am a sophomore at the University of Connecticut. I am studying elementary education with a concentration in math. I love working with kids so I figured that was the profession for me!

Since I have been in high school it has always been my goal and dream to travel to Africa. When I went to college, I never really thought about it until I went to the study abroad fair my first semester of my freshman year. There I met Marita and the energetic group of students that went to Cape Town the semester before. They were all so incredibly nice and had nothing but amazing things to say about it. After being there for thirty seconds I knew I would be going on this trip. I have been hooked on the UConn Study Abroad in Cape Town for two years now. I am so excited for the opportunity to learn about a new culture and be completely absorbed into it. The internship aspect of this program sounds incredible, and I cannot wait to meet all the children I will be working with and helping over the next semester. I also am very excited for the activist projects. I have heard nothing but amazing things about the projects so I am so eager to start mine! I am also very excited to become close with the group of students from UConn traveling with me. I know they are all amazing people and I can’t wait to spend time with all of them!

           

To be honest, I did not know much about Cape Town before I started on this journey. Through talking to people and reading about it, I feel like I know a little more about it…but nothing compared to what I will learn when I arrive. Everyone that has been there has nothing but positive things to say about South Africa- and the only thing I can say back is “Get me on a plane and get me there now!”

           

All in all, I am beyond excited for this trip. Although, since it is a day before leaving I am quite nervous but I think that is expected. I have never traveled this far from my family before, and I think that will be hard. Leaving my little brother for this long will probably be the most difficult aspect of this trip, but I know how great it will be to see him when I get back (and bring him presents too!).

I am currently counting down the hours, minutes, and seconds until I board the plane with the rest of my fellow UConn-ers to South Africa. Let the countdown begin!!

Meika's Intro

Hello All!  My name is Meika.  I am currently a Junior and a double major in History and Human Rights. 

I first heard about the “UConn Study Abroad in Cape Town” through the Honors program.  As I learned more, I realized that this was a unique opportunity.  I loved that there was an internship component, an activist project, and that it was made up of a small group of UConn students.  I didn’t know much about Cape Town or South Africa.  When I asked around, I actually found out I knew several people who had been abroad there.  Everyone told me the same things: it is an amazingly beautiful place, it changed their lives, and they wanted to go back more than anything.  I was convinced that this was the place and program for me.

It still has not sunk in that I am leaving for Cape Town on Thursday.  Even though I have thought a lot about it, I am still not entirely sure what to expect from this experience.  I know that I am looking forward to being in a place where everything is new to me.  I want to learn as much as I can, and I am especially interested in learning more about the history of South Africa.  I cannot wait to get there!!

Theresa's Introduction

Hello all! My name is Theresa Govert; I am a junior majoring in Psychology with a Women’s Studies minor. This trip came onto my radar because I’ve been very lucky to know many women from the Women’s Center who have taken this trip. They came back with stories of adventure, change, immersion and self-reflection that made me realize that this trip was not like any other offered by study abroad.  Not only would I be taking classes in South Africa, but I would be doing an internship. Since one of my passions is ending violence against women, a world-wide crisis, the opportunity to work with, collaborate, share and learn from the people of South Africa in the steps they are taking to end the violence, is an exceptional opportunity. I’m excited to take what I will learn and use it to color my work ending violence at UConn and in my future endeavors.

Traveling to Cape Town with this program has been in the back of my mind ever since my first year at UConn. I remember reading the Cape Town blog, and someone having the quote, “If you have come to help me, you are wasting our time.  If you have come here because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” It wasn’t until later when I came home and parroted the quote to my dad that he said that he had a similar quote up in his office, when we lived in Kenya, “'If you have come to help me you can go home again. But if you see my struggle as part of your own survival then perhaps we can work together.”  I think most would call this a coincidence, but for me it was a message. It was at this moment that I understood that this trip was for me; for me to learn, and explore, and expand my comfort zone and work together with people across the world to help make it a better place for us all.

I anticipate missing my family and friends dearly, but their excitement for me and technological advances which allow me to basically simulate being in the same room as them has quelled any, if all qualms I have about being half-way across the world. I am beyond thrilled to be sharing this adventure with the other students and Marita, and the thunder of a plane taking off below me on Thursday cannot come soon enough.

Erica's Intro

Hi my name is Erica Laguerre and I am currently a senior  at University of Connecticut majoring in Urban and Community Studies with a concentration in African American Studies.  I must admit applying and being accepted to UConn in Cape Town has been a very exciting experience.  The two individuals who have encouraged me to apply to this program was my mother and a good friend who participated in this program last spring. I have heard nothing but great things about this specific program, and I am more than ready to create my own experiences. I chose this specific program because it differs from all the others that are provided. This program has a focus on Human Rights and offers an internship, and I could not have ask for more. 

I am looking forward to being immersed into the South African culture, and seeking to learn about its history of apartheid.  What I am looking forward to the most is the fact that I am able to participate in an internship where I can gain so many skills that will benefit me in the future. 

I am a little nervous going to Cape Town, because I am a shy person, but at the same time I am excited because I can definitely see myself growing as an individual on this trip. This program will give me the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone, meet new people, participate in activities and get involved in community other than my own. 

I know for a fact that I will miss my family and friends dearly, and I will do my best to stay in contact with them all! I am ecstatic to get on the plane despite the fact that I will have a mixture of emotions, but most of all excitement knowing that I will soon be in Cape Town in less than a week!!!! I am looking forward to one of the best experiences of my lifetime! 

Rebecca's Introduction

My name is Rebecca Duchesneau and I am so excited to begin my journey in Cape Town.  I am a a double major in History and Secondary Education. Ever since I began applying to college I knew I wanted to spend a semester studying abroad.  I decided to go to Cape Town because it will provide me with the opportunity to gain experience in the education field while experiencing another culture. As a history major I have always been interested in the histories of different peoples and places. What better way to learn about South Africa than to actually go there?! Also I knew that I would never go to South Africa on my own, so this gives me the perfect opportunity to experience South Africa. 

I have always been really attached to my family, so this will hopefully be a chance for me to get used to being away from them, (even though I am going to miss them a ton) while becoming more adventurous. Hopefully I can become less of a scaredy-cat while I am in Cape Town.   I can't wait to land in Cape Town and leave the New England winter behind!

Intro from Sam

Hello everyone!! My name is Sam and I am a sophomore at the University of Connecticut. My major is Human Development and Family Studies, but I am hoping to get into the School of Education for Elementary Education. I had considered studying abroad before but I hadn’t really thought about it too much and I didn’t know where I even wanted to go. Then at the beginning of the school year I became friends with one of the people who went to Cape Town last year. I started to talk to him about it and hearing about his experiences got me really interested in the program. I loved the fact that we get to have an internship while we are there and we get to do a lot of human’s right work. As I learned more about Cape Town I was hooked and knew I had to apply and now I can’t wait to arrive.

I can’t believe that in just over a week this whole adventure will begin. I am extremely excited to get there and learn more about Cape Town and South Africa as a whole. I know I am going to learn more than I can even imagine right now and can’t wait to take in all the experiences that are ahead. I am especially excited for my internship at Christel House where I will get to be in a school with children and be able to learn about the education system in South Africa and compare it to our own. I look forward to this opportunity and know that it will be something I will remember for the rest of my life. 

Becky's Introduction

My name is Becky and I am a math major. Finals are over and the realization that I will be in Cape Town in less than a month has hit me like a ton of bricks. I originally wasn’t going to study abroad, but got a little nudge to go to last years study abroad fair by my boyfriend. I always knew if I did study abroad I wanted to go somewhere unlike any place I have ever been. I came across the table for this program and immediately knew this was the only program I could ever apply to. I had to cancel my application the first time because of some class conflicts and was absolutely crushed that I wasn’t able to go, but I realized I would just have to wait patiently if I wanted this experience to happen. As I waited for my time to re-apply I read the blogs of the students that were in Cape Town at the time and told myself my time to be there would come before I knew it. Now here I am…only a few weeks before going and I can’t believe it.

The opportunity I am being given right now is unbelievable. To be completely honest, I cried when I first found out that I could have an internship at a high school for kids from the townships. Ever since I became a math major, I have been questioned why would I choose such a horrible subject? Everyone hates math, but knowing that I could teach children who want to learn math is something I could not pass up. I feel like I have a chance to instill some of the love I have for this subject into children and I cannot describe how that makes me feel. Also, I am hoping this experience will help me appreciate the life I have here at home. I want to push myself out of my comfort zone and learn things about others that I would normally overlook. I took a class in high school where my teacher always told us we could change the world and I never really believed it, but going to Cape Town makes me believe that I actually will. This is going to be the experience of a lifetime and I am so ready for it!

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.