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Summary Reflections(Excerpts from Student Journals):
I have been able to see a part of the world that I would have never traveled to on my own. I have made new friends that are more than a name and a face and met locals who have forever impacted my life. Thank for you for putting this trip together and allowing us to explore such a beautiful place. I have been describing South Africa as a gem to my friends and family at home but for reasons other than its external beauty. I am more aware of the way I spend my money, the amount of food I waste, and what it means to be truly hungry. The people here are so welcoming and it has made me a friendlier person. -Alison
This overall trip has been incredibly eye opening. I have taken every experience for all it was worth and loved every minute of it. I think it is so important for students and people in general to go out of their element to countries they normally wouldn’t visit. I think South Africa was that for me. On my own I wouldn’t necessarily go on my own, but with Long Beach State and the tour group we were with, it was one of the best experiences of my life. I cannot wait to one day go back, know my way around a bit, and bring others with me to show them just a little of what I got to see during a month of my life. -Nicky
By simply coming to this country and bearing witness to its history, its present struggles and accomplishments, we are showing that we are part of their plight. As a world community, their struggles are our own. Working together, perhaps we can make a difference in their lives as well as our own. -Tammy
This class was everything I could have asked for and more. I know that we are supposed to include stories and what we learned pertaining to death and dying but when reflecting on my journey all I can think about is life and getting the most you can out of it. Of course I did learn about death and dying and I feel fortunate to have done so because in the future it will definitely help me to cope will lose easier. This class has taught me that I am a strong person and that I can do so much. In the future I plan to help more and I realize that a small donation can go a long way. During the trip I think that all parties involved matured and at least for me, I think that my “veil of ignorance” was lifted. I hope that I can continue to forge the relationships I have formed on this trip whether it be with Iris (the lady from the nursing home) or with the people from OVC. I have learned that a simple “hello” and a warm smile can go a long way. -Kellie
The more time I spend here the more I fall in love with the people and places we go. Everything we have done has expanded my mind about the world. -Alison
This trip has honestly and truly, really been the experience of a lifetime. I really didn’t know what to expect when we arrived in South Africa, but everything that I have experienced has by far exceeded my expectations. I have learned so incredibly much about a culture that I really knew very little about before arriving. Because so much of their history is recent and the outcomes are still very prevalent in society, I feel that it was easier to understand and grasp hold of, because we were able to experience what we were learning about first hand. Visiting the museums toward the end of the trip was a great idea because we had already read about it, and then seeing it really made things hit home for me. I have never been more moved in my life. I have this hunger to learn even more about South Africa and its history and its people... I have never learned more from an experience than I have in the last few weeks. I want to thank you for all of the effort that you put into making this trip as incredible as it was. I honestly cannot wait to go back and visit again. I hope that if I am able to do so, that I can have a more hands-on and interactive experience now that I have some knowledge due to this trip. I truly love South Africa, and believe that I left my heart there. -Caitlin