Brianna is eager to simply listen

Brianna taking it all in.

At the University of Connecticut, my major is Women, Gender, and Sexualities studies. As soon as I return back home to the states, I will shortly be walking across the stage and receiving my diploma upon my graduation. I never thought I would have the opportunity to study abroad but I am thankful that this opportunity was made possible and introduced into my path unknowingly.

Having a major such as my own, I learn not only about gender but about race and privilege which I found to serve much importance here in South Africa. Due to my own upbringing with these issues and my experiences within my major, I found that I have a passion in understanding about issues dealing with identities and cultures. I knew that South Africa would be the perfect place for me to explore my interests a bit further.

As for my future, I want to work within the education system to help implement programs that work with the underprivileged. I hope that these programs encourage children to further their education and provide mentorship opportunities to help children cope with adversity in their everyday lives. I would also want to bring awareness to issues that are largely brushed aside dealing with identity.

My internship in South Africa is at the City Mission Educational Services. This is a non-traditional high school in which I will be teaching a life skills course. After talking with someone who grew up here, it was explained how this course has purpose in emphasizing on personal development. To my understanding, when apartheid ended, this course was introduced to inspire blacks and coloureds that they serve as important part in their communities, something that was not instilled within them during apartheid. It seems to be a course unlike most, that have a greater concern for an individual student’s well-being. Although courses like these if offered are uncommon in the states, I am interested in the possibly trying to implement these types of courses into academic curriculum in inner-city schools back in Connecticut.

My first impressions when arriving at Cape Town was filled with excitement and eagerness. I had never been this far away from home, especially without people I was familiar with. I felt ready, ready to learn and experience all that I had been waiting for. I remember seeing the mountains and just taking in everything around me. It was all so beautiful and perfect. Seeing the beaches and mountains made me feel very at ease. I liked this feeling because sometimes back home, we get caught up in the days and don’t ever just relax or admire the natural beauty in what’s around us.

I have realized that I must be observant while I am here. I want to listen to people and their stories and learn all that I possibly can through listening. I loved seeing mountains, beaches, penguins, and dining out almost every day. But by far what I have enjoyed the most is conversing with people who are from here that have already inspired me. Although I enjoyed being a tourist and experiencing what I never had before, after visiting townships, I realized why I really had come here. I want to be here to listen. That’s it, to simply listen and that’s what I am most eager to do.