Aimee's preparing for an epic adventure!

The day has finally come! After working on my Study Abroad application for many days and hours, I finally got accepted to travel to Cape Town, South Africa with the University of Connecticut! I don't think it has even hit me yet that I will be in Africa in approximately 3 months and away from UConn's bitter winter. I never would have thought that I would visit Africa before any other continent besides my own. I am trying not to paint multiple vivid pictures in my mind about what it will be like because I'm sure it will be totally different from my expectations. I am so thankful of the support from all of my family and friends and the congratulations dispersed throughout the next few weeks. 

I greatly enjoyed the interview process that took place the week before applicants were notified of acceptance. For my internship, I knew that there were a few issues I was passionate about such as human trafficking and children's education, that I could see myself taking part in. Vernon and Marita, who conducted the interviews, remarked about how I made sure to put quite a broad and long list of interests to be sure I left nothing out. For those who know me, this is very typical behavior. I first told them that I would like to teach younger children in a setting such as an elementary school. For my second choice, I stated my passion for Human Rights and working for an NGO. "So Aimee..you're telling me your first choice would be to teach in a school." I thought to myself...hmmm I think so, and I didn't seem convincing to them either. Next, I was introduced to the idea of working in a group home with young women who had been trafficked, which would combine working with young people and a promoting a human rights issue. Perfect. Teaching children in a school became my second choice. I am looking forward to meeting everyone from UConn who will be embarking on this amazing journey into the unknown with me and preparing myself for what I know will be an epic adventure :)