Throughout the pre-departure course,
we have had so many useful conversations about South Africa. There are
definitely certain conversations that stand out as being particularly useful; I
think that it will be very useful to remember the discussions about each video
we watched outlining the education system and inequalities that are seen there.
This will be of vital importance when we are in Cape Town because it is an area
of rights that still needs a lot of work. There is a lot for us to learn as we
study there and it will be important to know the differences between schools of
different areas, and work can be done to right these inequalities.
Another important thing that we
learned in the pre-departure course is the race, class and gender issues that
have a strong parallel between South Africa and the United States. I think that
this will be especially important information to have as a background because it
will allow us to take in all of our surroundings and compare and contrast to
what we see in our own country. There are so many similarities between the two
countries that the difference in how problems are discussed and addressed will
be vital to moving forward to help progress towards solving issues with race,
class and gender inequality.
Finally, I think one of the most
important things that we accomplished in the pre-departure course is getting to
know each other and becoming more comfortable learning and discussing as
co-educators. It is going to be very important to have these connections once
we land in Cape Town and find ourselves immersed in a new city with a new
culture. We are more prepared to use each other as resources to learn and bounce
ideas off of each other. I am so excited; only 23 more days!!
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| Alex Z (on left) and Lily in our Getting to Know You Exercise |
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