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Welcome to Our Blog

WELCOME TO OUR BLOG

As anyone who has participated in UConn's Education Abroad in Cape Town will tell you, there are no words to adequately explain the depth of the experiences, no narratives to sufficiently describe the hospitality of the people, and no pictures to begin to capture the exquisite scenery. Therefore this blog is only intended to provide an unfolding story of the those co-educators who are traveling together as companions on this amazing journey.

As Resident Director of this program since 2008 it is once again my privilege and honor to accompany another group of remarkable students to this place I have come to know and love.

In peace, with hope,
Marita McComiskey, PhD

(marita4peace@gmail.com)

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Isabel making the most of every spare minute

It is only our first week serving as actual Capetonians and already I have learned so much.  On our very first day at our placements, Josh and I were introduced to an upbeat staff and given the tour of Surplus People Project.  We delved into annual reports and even got into a roaring debate about American versus South African mannerisms.  I had to vividly explain what a biscuit was to our director because there was a large confusion between that and a bread roll.  Besides all the discussion, I enjoyed reading through each year of SPP’s work.  It gave us a concise idea of what the organization has achieved in just the last five years.  I was really interested in the women rights work they have done and am excited to start projects associated with that topic.
           
Aside from the amazing first day and the very good coffee shop I discovered across the street, our director told us that the whole team would be out of the office for the next two days.  They insisted we take time off to do things we have never done before, and so we did.  The next day Vernon was kind enough to drop us both off at EROS.  We spent our first day there each shadowing different teachers and getting to know the kids.  You could tell they made the most out of some limited resources.  My favorite part about our time at EROS was getting to help the kids through some of their lessons.  During the mornings, the teachers would go through math exercises and multiplication tables.  It felt rewarding being able to help the kids through their problems and frustrations with a subject I personally love.   We also got free time to play with the kids on their breaks during which, I got told that my freckles (which they called spots) made me a ladybug.  I brought sidewalk chalk my second day at EROS and the kids and I made this huge hopscotch.  That made up my favorite part of this whole week.  Kids are pretty universal when it comes down to it and I really enjoyed the chance to spend time and learn from them.
           

I know I speak for Josh and myself when I say that we are very excited to step back into the office of Surplus People Project this Monday.  We are eager to hear about their new plans for the upcoming year.  EROS will be missed, although I have a feeling that it will not be my final time visiting those young learners.

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