Our last assignment for our South Africa study abroad program was to pick our favorite 6 pictures from the trip and explain why they are our favorites. I had a hard time choosing 6 so ended up with 8 (oops!). I thought I would share them with you :). So here they are in no particular order...
#1. This is a picture of me, Bryan, and Zukanye. Zukanye started out hating me (and telling me how he felt about me to my face). I knew from the first day that it was going to be my goal to build a relationship with him and to have him trust me as an adult in his life. Zukanye was known as the "trouble child". My CT was not afraid to tell me that he was a "lost cause" and that he had already been held back in grade 3. By my last week, Zukanye wrote me and Bryan each a note, gave me a hug, and I even got a smile out of him! The last thing he said to me was, "Miss Katie, you're pretty cool." I will never forget him, what he said, and his final hug! He was a challenge each and everyday but I know with time and attention he could be a wonderful student.
#2 This is one of the many pictures I took while on safari. Addo was one of my favorite parts of holiday simply because we saw some of my favorite animals in their natural setting. I was amazed by the zebras and elephants (and lions of course!). This picture reminds me of the many drives we took and all of the fun we had.
#3 The township tour- my favorite part of the trip. This was such an eye-opening experience and I was amazed to see how many of our students lived. It was life changing to see how happy the people of the township were with what little they had. I had so much fun seeing all of the kids and passing out all of our goodies.
#4 Surfing! This was one of my bucket list items that I got to check off in South Africa! It took me a lot time but I got up for my last 4 waves. It was amazing! I learned so much about how to spot the current and what parts of the ocean are safe to swim in vs. not. Our instructor even saved a child from drowning in the middle of our lesson! We had a great time.
#5 How could I not include a South African sunset? I will honestly never forgot how beautiful they were. I have countless pictures of the sunsets and I don't get sick of looking through them. What more is there to say besides, "I love the sunsets down in Africa! (sung by Jody)" :).
#6 I think this is the only entire group picture we have (including Sandy, Sean, Pierre, and Antoinette). I love this picture because 1. it's the ENTIRE group and 2. it was one of my favorite places (Cape of Good Hope). The trip would not have been the same without our group of 17 students, 2 instructors, and 2 tour guides. Each and everyone of you made a difference on this trip and had an impact on me and my life!
#7 The Taylor gang plus our parents, Helen, and the dogs :). My trip would have been totally different if I hadn't lived with these wonderful people. The Taylors were so welcoming, the dogs reminded me of home (one of their dogs usually doesn't like new people around but he warmed right up to Bry and I!), and my roommates were so fun to be around. I didn't know Beth, Jeremy, or Rob very well before the trip but I grew very close to them and loved getting to know them along the way.
#8 Lastly, my wonderful grade 3's. These little ones changed me for the better. They were so welcoming, kind, and loving. I learned so much from watching Ronel teach and seeing how they learned each day. I think I learned the most on break when I got to talk to the students and have them tell me about their families and everyday lives. They are each showing their personality in this picture. Sesethu, the girl 3 to the right of me, was one of the students I bonded with the most. I learned so much about her and she made saying goodbye so hard. She recorded a message for me, a message for my mom, AND message for my dad on my last day of school. Her message to my dad said "Dear Miss Katie's father, I love you very much. Please let Miss Katie stay in South Africa. When I come to visit you in America I will bring presents for you." I get tears in my eyes every time I watch her messages!
There you have it. South Africa in a nutshell. <3
