I’ve struggled through a lot of this
trip with trying to find the words to describe the experiences I’ve been having
so far. I don’t know how to explain to my parents the way the clouds sit on top
of Table Mountain and slowly roll off. It’s been hard to describe to my friends
at the end of the day the determination and desperation I see my students
exhibiting everyday as they try to understand my words.
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| Working group takes their discussion outside |
This past weekend is not easier to
explain either. As a group we traveled to Goedegacht Olive Farm for a weekend
long conference concerning human rights. We were integrated with 25 South
Africans and others from across the continent. We were constantly being separated
into groups to try and solve specific issues regarding human and civil rights
and who exactly holds control. And while this seems straightforward the things
I experienced are a lot harder to explain. Like the frustration I felt from not
being able to understand some of my teammates and believing they were
suggesting something they were not. Or the surprise when I realized how
dedicated and focused so many of us were to solving certain issues. And
most importantly, how happy I felt watching my friends laugh, sing, and dance
as we all shared bits of our experiences and cultures.
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| Ainsley giving her part of the group presentation |
I can’t exactly describe my weekend at
the olive farm but I know how meaningful and important it was to see how people
from so many different nations address the same problems. It was important for
me to spend this time with the other students on this trip and see what issues
were the most important to them. And it was important for me to learn these
things about myself as well.
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| Having lots of fun while learning about important issues |
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