South Africa: 

 

My trip to South Africa was the first trip I ever took outside of the country (other than Canada). I spent three weeks in Durban and the surrounding country side with 10 other classmates and two professors. We spent the first two weeks at the UNFCCC COP 17. During these two weeks I had the privilege to interview delegates from all over the world about their role in the international negotiations. It was really exciting to experience so many cultures all at once. In addition to all of the delegates, there were scientists and NGOs from all over the world presenting their research and projects. I was inspired by all the really innovative work going on. 

 

After spending two weeks at the conference we left the city to participate in a service learning week in the Valley of a Thousand Hills. We worked at a children's village called Makaphutu. Here we organized donations, painted a few rooms, and assisted with a food and clothing distribution. This was an incredibly moving experience and a few days that I will never forget.  Upon return, a few of the students and I organized two fundraisers for Makaphutu. It was our way of giving back to a community which taught us so much in such a short period of time. 

 

We also took a couple of fun trips while in South Africa. Most noteably we went on safari for a weekend and spent one day hiking in Drakensberg. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Anna McGinn

 

 

My trip to South Africa inspired all of my future out of country experiences as well. Firstly my week at Makaphutu inspired me to spend the summer in Ecuador where I could work with kids in a similar fashion, but also be able to speak to them in their native language. It also inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and study abraod in Tanzania instead of studying abroad in Australia as was my original plan.