End of Semester

Well today is the final day of classes at UWC and this means for me too. Today is my last official day at UWC, although I will still be on campus sporadically over the next couple of weeks wrapping up projects that I have started. As I took down photos in my office this morning, I thought this occasion warranted a little reflection.

I have several large remaining projects including final reports for the International Relations Office on International Students' Expectations and Satisfaction and for the Center for Student Support Services on my overall internship experience. I also have to complete diary (student calendar) edits and photos for the upcoming publication.

The other two remaining projects include data analysis. I will be helping to code data to help analyze the latest SRC election as well as doing a micro-literature review on voting trends for SRC elections in South Africa. Finally, I am assisting the Office of Student Development (similar to Career Services) with their planning for next year which includes looking at survey data to assess strengths and areas for growth.

That sounds like a lot hey?

Eh, it is not too bad and I am looking forward to hibernating over the next couple of weeks at my favorite cafe in my neighborhood, Observatory, Obs. for short. For as much as I like the beginning of a new school year and the buying of school supplies, I equally like the end of the semester...especially the fall semester.

Both have different energies, but the end of the fall semester is always full of such excitement for the holidays. I love sipping warm tea, listening to Christmas music and typing away, digging into material and knocking out projects. Admittedly, it is a bit off this year without the chill in the air and frost on the ground, but I am confident that the next two weeks will be filled with anticipatory energy and the thrill of finishing major projects. There is the additional bonus of flying home which I am also looking forward to.

I do not think that I will ever cease to enjoy the college environment. I have discovered, and readily admit to being a bit of an adrenaline junky. I love the waves of stress that challenge one and push them to new heights. I love the lack of routine that allows one to most effectively utilize one's own natural rhythms of energy and to take advantage of a variety of opportunities. And most of all, I love learning.

I will try anything once and that includes learning about a topic that I never had interest in before one conversation or another and riding that wave until it reaches shore...only to swim back out to find the next big wave.

This semester has been most rewarding and full of projects and endeavors that I could have only imagined 4 short months ago. I look forward to working hard over the next couple of weeks and packing in between breaks! Not to mention still sneaking in one or two Cape Town adventures--including surfing, strawberry picking, and abseiling!