Prepared to Travel to South Africa

This year's HDFS 379 students were selected through the University of Illinois Study Abroad office and College of ACES Study Abroad Office. The students wrote essays and participated in group interview sessions, and were selected for the 2011-2012 Cape Town Study Abroad/Volunteer Experience course and trip. Participants selected this year are Mariana, Karah, Keya, Danielle, Gloria, Nikki, Stephanie, Chun ,Sarah, Shevin, Erica, Aleisha, Ciara, Bridget, Brittany, and Andrew. Course instructor is Jan Brooks, along with unofficial instructor Jess Dickson (Jan's daughter, former University of Cape Town graduate student).

The pre-departure course focused on the history, economy, and political events leading to the demise of the apartheid system, including role of South Africa's youth in the struggle. The trip will include intensive study of current conditions for children and families, experiences with local cultural events, and volunteer experiences with children who are orphans and/or are chronically ill and are cared for by community organizations in Cape Town and the nearby townships. Discussion throughout the trip will continue, focusing on the dynamics of integration, education, and globalization in the Cape Town area.

Our study abroad group will meet at O'Hare airport in Chicago on Tues. Dec. 27, 2011 for departure. As trip director and course instructor, I am very impressed with the intensive interest, complexity in thinking about the historical information offered in the course, and the outstanding pre-departure papers submitted by the student group. Look for additional posts by the group from Dec. 28 through Jan. 17, 2012 as our adventure unfolds! Jan