This past summer I had the opportunity of a lifetime to study abroad in Cape Town, South Africa . I’ve always wanted to study abroad, and I finally got my chance! There were four of us that took the trip to South Africa: our Professor Donna Ettel, and two other students besides myself, Martha and Enzo.

We had a great tour guide who knew the ins and outs of Cape Town, and we all got along as if we’d known each other all our lives. We participated in local cultural dances at GOLD Restaurant. The food was amazingly fresh, and the people of Cape Town were so hospitable. I felt very safe everywhere I went.

We had the chance to shadow students that attended The University of Cape Town with a volunteer program by the name of SHAWCO. We went out into underserved communities and visited Mobile Medical Clinics, and provided healthcare such as pregnancy tests, HIV tests, glucose tests, and getting medical history from each patient that came in to diagnose their issues. I enjoyed SHAWCO overall, and wish we were granted more time to go out in the communities and help whoever needed our help.

The other organization we helped with was called PEBBLES. This organization was put in place to provide care to and for the children, and their parents that work in the wine farms. I lent a hand in the Early Childhood Development Center drawing animals for the children to color, fixing lunch, and observing their everyday activities while they are in the programs.

I fell in love with all the children. I loved everything about this study abroad program. I just wish we could have spent more time equally with both organizations, and stayed longer than two weeks. I would go again if I was given the opportunity again!

By Rakiya