students are amazing!

Here is a group shot of all the kick ass people I get to spend the next 3 weeks with.

Hope you enjoy!

The power of discusiion can be competely encompassing. Last night we all stayed up until 3:30 just discussing the meaning of leadership, social change, society and education.  Obviously a little wine and drinks can really enhance conversations, but none the less they are some of the most fun times to be had! I truly thank Laurie for her perspectives that she shared with me and her global view, as it is different then my own.  Laurie has been lucky enough to travel as well and has fascinating ideas a values as a result of it....

Understanding South Africa can be a complex and difficult task. Particularly making sense of Apartheid and what that actually means.  We were fortunate to have a guest lecture in the morning for UTC to give us a fairly brief run down of the contents of South Africa's history. 

What is Apartheid? 

Beyond segregation and exile, it was a divided country and split of the majority into different minorities...so to speak.  It also was a split country of urban and rural which translates into white and black and beyond that it was more then racialism, but also trabalism.  In my mind more then anything this was a country that did not have a stable government or way to control power, and the only way to make things seem "right" or handle the stress of becoming a active society was by breaking it down and complete division.

With Apartheid being such a recent way of living, it is hard to wrap our minds around the fresh wounds it has left of the country of South Africa. Around the late 1980's and early 1990's Apartheid was no longer able to exist (legally) but the after taste is a nasty reality that still creeps around. 

Our lecture was amazing and insightful, but hearing first hand experiences can be the most moving.  In the afternoon we went to the District 6 museum and listened to a mans story and first hand historical perspective. He said something that still resinates...." We all bleed the same color red so why should people be treated differently because of the outer layer of skin one has.  Until we bleed different colors we all should be equal and it can be as simple as that." This guide had a dry sense of humor and lived first hand the horrors of Apartheid, and I believe that listening to these experiences will help us all to have a wider global perspective and understanding of what it truly means. 

I am beginning to understand that we are not primarily here to help fix whatever it may be we think needs fixing, but rater serve.  As of now being able to serve is being able to be an active listener.  Sometimes is it better to just hold your mouth tight and let others tell their story, and in turn realities can be released and ideas can be created. 

Today was the first day that I was not happy about me graduating from school.  I love the fact that I can be around educated and thriving students with different ideas and common goals.  I love being able to travel with young people and learn what the classroom can teach.  I am certain that this group of students that I am with will do big things in life and I can't wait to see the outcomes that SOuth Africa will produce!

peace for now

The fun has began...

In the little time we have been here our days and nights have been filled with many activities.  Here is just a quick run down of the variety of stuff that has been going on. 

Day 1: We got to our lovely homes and found out that we had the better of the two and have instantly connected with all of the students.  This is actually a picture of my sweet roomie in front of our house (super adorable!!)

Day 2: this involved a campus tour and a long walk around the surrounding part of Cape Town.  This campus is unlike any place that I have ever visited.  Honestly this campus is stuck in between lush mountains and wild clouds.  The picture below is the equivalent to a student union....bet you wish you were here!!!

Day 3: So the actual school part has began, and to be perfectly honest I am super happy to be able to better understand S. africa culture and history.  We had a wonderful lecture today that really put some of the political issues into perspective.  Up until today we had a very limited view of Cape Town, that of wealthy upper class, and prosperity.  Our first meal together consisted of large meal and tasty cocktails overlooking the ocean.  This is not what I was expecting, but I guess the point of traveling is to throw out all of you expectations and just live in the moment. 

I just wanted to add the above picture cause the guys that we are with are so thoughtful.  The bought all of us girls an individual flower....pretty sweet.  More to come later, it is hard to sit on front of the computer when you would prefer to do so many other things! 

WE MADE IT!!!!

After 20+ hours of traveling all 18 of us students made it to Cape Town!!

First off, when we got to the airport in Minneapolis I saw Rev Run from RUN DMC, and in my half drunk and sleepless state I thought it was a good idea to go and ask to get a picture of with him. Surely he was not too happy about it as it was 5:30 in the morning, but thats what you get for being a minor celebrity. 

JFK in New York was a rough time for me.  Working on no sleep and a minor hangover I was not the happiest camper around.  We all passed time by playing cards (i learned how to play euchre), eating horrible junk food, and getting overly excited to get out of the states!

After waiting in the security line from hell, we were able to board the plane to Africa, you can only imagine the excitement! It was no more then 30 minutes and I was PASSED OUT!! I tried to watch Juno, but that only lasted about 5 minutes. I only woke up for food and free cocktails and I was lucky enough to fall back asleep again. The stop in Senegal was more then needed, even though we did not get off the plane.  Just getting up and walking around was a wonderful feeling! 

After about 17 hours on the plane we finally got to Africa and all of us were in need of a shower and some serious leg room! 

Arriving to our residence was the most exciting thing ever! We were split up 7 in one house and 10 in another.  I am in the house with 7 and it is a seriously NICE HOUSE! We have nice big beds, towels, kitchen, and a lovely living room. Here are just a few pictures from our home on 8 Welgelegen in Mowbray. 

As a means to keep this semi-short I will fill you in on the details of our first day a little later on. 

peace~ Sarah

Pre-Departure

So.....I know many are wondering what exactly it is that I will be doing on South Africa, so here is a brief run-down of my time I will be spending there.

• This is actually my last class through the U of MN with the goal of understanding and shaping global leadership abilities, the official name is Cross Cultural Leadership Contexts of the AIDS pandemic.
• 17 total students, all different ages and travel experience, however we have same goal to be active and aspiring leaders.
• We will be living in what appear to be VERY nice houses near the University of Cape town, taking a few classes there, as well as spending a significant amount of time in a local township of Guguletu, where we will have a few nights with a host family.
• In the township we sill be working with local community centers, visiting child-run households as well as an AIDS hospice.  All of the students were asked to pack an extra bag with a variety of donations that we will be giving to the people of Gugletu.
• On top of the educational aspect we will be doing a variety of touristy activities, all of which you will most likely hear in great detail as we experience them. 

So that is a shortened version of a long list of activities and time that will be spent in South Africa.  There are mixed emotions among all of us students,  some are scared and unsure of our pending future, while others are so excited and open-minded that we can hardly wait to get on that 20 hour plane to the southern hemisphere. 

If you already have not heard me complain about the flight, I will reiterate the pain of flying to NY, having a 7 hour layover there, and then boarding a plane for a direct 19+ hour flight to Africa.  If there is one thing that I am not excited for it is that, but if that it worst then life is pretty SWEET!!!

I know that I have said it before, but I am so fortunate and excited for this chapter of my life to develop and expand.  Traveling is something that can be so enriching and educational, and really can teach you about things that the traditional classroom can not. I am looking forward to go with this group of students, and am afraid that I will not want to come home.

More then anything I am excited for the unknown!

Next time you hear from me I will be on the other side of the world!

Bon voyage 

Trying to figure out how this all works...

So I guess you could say that I am new to this blog world, however, very excited to be a part of this current technology.  Everything has been a blur for the last few months, with writing my senior thesis and cramming in 18 credits so I can finish up school....

I have not even had time to soak up the thought that a week from tomorrow I will be on a plane to one of my greatest and life changing adventures yet.  After graduation on Sunday, it is strictly time to focus on South Africa, cant wait to share more.