Avery has been left breathless

Kelsey, Larissa, Avery at Maidens Cove

I haven’t had enough time to breathe, and when I find a minute to do so I find myself left breathless. Cape Town, or what we have been exposed to thus far is a place where the word beautiful doesn’t even begin to embody the majestic way that the clouds hang over Table Mountain or the way the turquoise ocean embraces the white sand on the bay like an old friend. I am smiling as I simply recall this environment where I have landed.  Everyone is bustling around me, trying to sell, trying to see, trying to explore, trying to learn, to love, to live.

           

I am among the many here to learn- at least until I can protest my complete love for Cape Town, (I am sure the day is soon to come!) I decided that I wanted to spend this semester here in Cape Town but the decision in all honesty was one I made without hesitation. Aside from the fact that it is a promising program complete with an internship with perks of warm weather- I couldn’t put my finger on the reason why I was so powerfully enamored by this program. Perhaps I will have to learn that only after being here for a little longer. I am an Allied Health major with a French minor but it took a little bit for me to figure all that out. I thought I wanted to be a doctor so I started out my college experience with major in Biology and had sights set on eventual Medical School. I think I had a Grey’s Anatomy influenced dream of what life as a physician would be- I came to my senses. The main part of being a doctor that allured me was the idea of helping a lot of people I don’t know if the route I was on was the best fit for me. I am still very interested in health and ensuring that all people have access to preventative and curative services- I am leaning more towards Physical Therapy at this point. My ultimate goal would be to join the Peace Corps or Doctors Without Borders and be a part of a brigade of health services to impoverished nations and low income families across the world.  Perhaps a focus in women’s and infant health issues? I know my interests at this point but clearly I have no clear inkling as to what would be a perfect career for myself. 

           

My internship is possibly my first taste of what my career could hopefully be.  I will be working at Maitland Cottage Orthopedic Pediatric Hospital where I believe I will be working with patients (children) before, during, and post operation. I am thrilled about this opportunity and I think it is a perfect test for me to confirm with myself if this is the path I am going to walk down. In our short time here we have seen the beauty of Cape Town but it is careless for me to ignore the areas of clear inequality. I want to explore these impoverished and separated areas more thoroughly and find out what I can do with my time here that will be most effective to make lasting effects for those who need it. I will not have done my job correctly if I do not go to the root of the health issues. I understand that I may be challenging myself to accomplish too much, but I would rather fall short of a sky-high goal than never set one to begin with.

           

I suppose that Cape Town is going to do a lot more than open itself up to me. With any luck at all I will examine who I am and have an open