Josh heading to South Africa as someone ready to learn

What a semester it has been.  Looking back, I remember when I just was applying to the program and in the interview room with Vernon and Marita.  I finished finals on Tuesday, and when I got home, my mom and I were talking about how shortly I will be in Africa.  Ever since I last went to Africa, I have long awaited the day of my return.  With traveling to Utah to go skiing with my cousins, and then heading to California to have Christmas with our relatives, this vacation will certainly be one of "go go go" as we see family together for the last time for awhile and prepare to take off and head to Africa.

This semester, I was grateful for the opportunity to get to know most of the students through the pre-departure course.  I think becoming familiar with each other before we share foreign experiences in a foreign land will definitely pay off.  

The biggest thing I took away from the course was the similarities and differences between the situations the US and South Africa face in regards to poverty, race and class tensions.  Although the situations appear seemingly different, I think what I took away from the course is just a general understanding of how regardless of whether you are in South Africa or the US, people will still be people.  Naturally, we all like to think there is more "good" in the world or that we inherently are born to love, and I do believe there is truth to that.  But when people of different races, cultures, etc. all are thrown into one "melting pot" whether South Africa or the US, many problems arise.  Often we look at situations like those that happened post 9/11 with the Sikh community and wonder how could a thing like that ever happen?  And it is hard to wrap our minds around it.  But I think the biggest thing I am learning through this class, other classes, and personal experiences, often it is the structures we create in our society that lead to such occurrences not just the people themselves.  I go to South Africa as someone wanting to appreciate the beauty, enjoy a semester away from UConn, but most importantly, as someone ready to learn.

I plan to write my thesis on the limiting factors of non-profits/organizations that are attempting to help alleviate poverty.  So taking away the notion that it is structures of society that can lead to different race, class, etc. tensions, I think this will be vital.  I hope to simply observe a variety of organizations through studying abroad, and my plans to stay in South Africa over the summer.  Ultimately, the class helped us so that when we see what's going on around us, we would not dismiss issues, but carefully observe them and reflect/learn.  I am looking forward to this trip and can't wait to see you guys all soon at JFK!  Have a Merry Christmas, and see you all in the new year.