Work Hard, Play Hard

After that last post, I do not want you all to think that I am not working hard here, so I thought I should follow that up with a report on my work at the University of Western Cape (UWC).

First and foremost, I must say how nice and welcoming everyone has been here at the University, within my first two weeks of being here, I have managed to conduct informational interviews with each department head within the Center for Student Support Services. This not only provided a great orientation to the campus, but allowed me to get to know the team, their work and their students. Additionally, it allowed me to identify projects that will keep me occupied over the semester.

There are more potential projects or interest areas here than one person could ever hope to experience. That said, I am only one person, so I have identified four primary projects and am filling in any time gaps by participating in other opportunities and interest areas. My four projects include:

1. Student Activities: Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE)--This is a student organization which teaches entreprenuership as well as good citizenship all at the same time.

2. Office of Student Development (Career Services)--I am working with national survey data to write a report for the office, helping with Student Representative Council (SRC) elections and gaining an understanding about the University Business Challenge-a national competition for students.

3. International Office--I am working on a research project regarding the
internationalization of tertiary (higher) education in South Africa.

4. Residential Life/Academic Support Services--Living-Learning Community Development. I am working on the development team to create a new living-learning community ready for enrollment for the January 2011 term.

Other projects include, understanding the philosophy and major concerns of the Therapuetic Services Department (Counseling Center), engaging with the Emerging and Advanced Leaders Programs, as well as the RAGS, Emotional EQ and Career Development Programs.

My days are non-stop both physically and mentally and it is great to be in such an energetic and engaging setting. I will update the blog as the projects progress. For now that is a big picture view of my time here!

Weekend at the Beach

Thanks for everyone's patience on pictures, I promise to upload some early next week. The lack of photos is a result of costly internet connections, not a lack of pictures I PROMISE!

I thought I would give a brief update on my activities over the past weekend. I will start by saying that while the weather is not warm here, it has been unusually sunny for this time of year. This made it ideal for taking advantage of the South African coast line.

On a sunny Saturday morning, I got down to business and visited the local cafe, CocoChaChi's for breakfast and internet. This was a fantastic start to the weekend as I enjoyed a cafe classic "French Kiss" which is an order of French Toast smothered with chocolate sauce and almonds. Yes it was a bit rich, but I did not mind a bit!

With that mission completed, I went home and read in the yard for a bit before taking the train to Muizenberg. This particular beach town is known for their colorful beach houses which sit along the sand. This was my first view of the open ocean--actually my second if you count Robben Island, but that is a bit different--and it was fabulous. With mountains on both side, we walked up and down the shore line, took plenty of pictures and managed to get our feet wet. This was no small feat considering the Ocean was about the temperature of Lake Michigan in March. Somehow it just seemed like the right thing to do.

After enjoying the open air, we decided to visit a local eatery called "The Boat House". The sign above the door read "Galley" and somehow it kind of felt like home just for a moment. In any case, we met a very nice Egyptian man, Ihad, who had just opened the cafe. He was very nice and promised to send me his recipe for his Oat & Honey Bars and Death by Chocolate Balls once I had returned to the states. Both were absolutely delicious and combined cost about $1.50...YUM!

Basically Saturday was a very tasty day.

Sunday was also a very sunny and nice. Since we enjoyed Saturday so much, we decided to return to the beach, but to go further South this time stopping at the final train stop-Simon's Town. Known for their Naval operations and penguins, this destination proved to be very relaxing and fun. We took our time walking down to the National Park to view the penguins stopping at several shops along the way.

The penguins were the main attraction for the day and it was nice to see the birds in their natural habitat. Admittedly, they were more bird-like than I imagined, but that seems natural seeing as Happy Feet is my most recent reference. I was surprised at how close we were able to get without making them waddle away. My favorite bit was their foot prints in the sand just before they disappeared into the waves.

After a little more climbing on the rocks and walking around, we returned home for the Sunday House Dinner. The menu was chili and it was quite delicious and warm after a day in the cool water.

First Week Details

Now that you know more about my mindset as I embark on the next few months, let me tell you more about the practical details. After only a week in the town, I have settled into Kimberly House, named after the street on which it is located. It is the amalgam of two houses that are connected at the kitchen. It has lots of natural lighting which is great and my room has a fireplace and hard woods floors, not to mention a heater above my bed!

I have a room to myself, which is quiet and allows me to read…I am still on Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom, but this reading came alive after visiting Robben Island and attending the Ubuntu Festival celebrating Madiba’s birthday last weekend. Seeing Cape Town sprawling across the coast from the island with bars blocking the panoramic view, helped provide greater insight and perspective.

In between weekends exploring the city, I spend my time during the week at the University of Western Cape (UWC). I am settling into the Center for Student Support Services (CSSS) and the entire team has been very welcoming. During the first week, I had informational interviews with several departments that have provided great insights about some universal concerns in higher education as well as some context specific differences. Additionally hearing about the programs and services at UWC, I have learned much about their approach and theory to serving students and I am reflecting on all that I am taking in. I will write about my specific projects (for which there are many) in a future entry.

Those are the basic building blocks thus far. All is well and the shining sun over the past week has not hurt!

Irrestibly Irreversible

Irresistibly Irreversible

Mark Twain once said, “Timing is everything,” and I agree. Arriving on the heels of the World Cup has provided great insight into my Cape Town experience.

In preparing to host the world, South Africa spent much time, effort, emotion, energy and money into moving onto the world stage. Their performance, they hoped, would bring accolades and not criticism. And such was the case. As a result of their efforts, people all over the world have a new awareness about this nation, its pride, and its history. And the people here have a great since of accomplishment and a renewed sense of hope and unity.

Prior to and during the World Cup the Nation faced challenges—construction projects, security and ticket sales to name a few. Some brought triumph and others headaches, but in the end, the month long tournament brought energy to people that has not ceased now that it is over. The lessons and momentum created have established a collective memory that cannot be destroyed and that have propelled the nation forward both internally and externally. The risk of failing on this stage did not deter the people but inspired them to rise to their best.

On a much (much) smaller scale, I can apply this as a model to my time here in Cape Town. Leading up to the departure there was much investment financially, physically and emotionally and a sense of risk in leaving a job I enjoyed, saying good-bye to family and friends, and going on my own to a new place not known for safety. Now that I am here, that sense of risk has subsided, but as in any profound experience, there are small challenges to overcome and when there is a small victory the success lays a foundation for another step forward and headaches cease with time and determination.

After only a week, I can already feel the ball rolling in the right direction and an increasing sense of excitement and energy. By the end of this experience, I hope that I leave with the same sense energy for which I was welcomed into this country and that it propels me forward professionally and personally. For now, I am working on being my best and taking every opportunity to grow.