Claire Goodrich
12/08/12
Can I be a Change Agent?
Wow! I cannot believe that I will be in South Africa in a little over two weeks! This semester has been so busy with lesson plans, exams, and other extra curriculars that I really haven't had the time to sit and realize that I will be traveling to Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA!
I have always wanted to study abroad as part of the college experience; I finally got around to planning and applying last summer. However, for some reason, I did not make it into the program that I applied to last summer. Therefore, as soon as the fall semester began, I made sure to apply early to make it into this program. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be going on this study abroad experience. What drew me to this program was the social justice and change agent aspects. As a future elementary school teacher, it is important to discuss social justice issues in the classroom and think of ways to be change agents in our community and world today. Therefore, this study abroad experience will immerse me in social justice and empower me to discuss social justice issues with my students.
I do have expectations for this trip to South Africa. I expect to feel nervous, excited, empowered, lonely, upset, and joyous. Besides this mix of emotions, I do expect to be immersed in the South African culture and learn from the locals there. I also expect to make new friends and learn how to travel in a country outside of the United States. However, instead of focusing on expectations, I want to focus on my hopes for myself throughout this study abroad experience. I hope to be present throughout the experience and truly apply myself, especially during the service learning portion. So much of what we remember is based on what we do with our hands. Therefore, I want to gain tools to be a change agent and and what better way than by participating in a service project. Also, I hope that I take a look at myself and how I am living in the United States. Can I be a change agent back in Morris, MN? Can I be a change agent in my future classroom? I want to embrace the many different perspectives I will be exposed to in South Africa and bring what I learn back to my blessed life and bring about change in the United States.
I am so excited to be traveling to South Africa, and I am ready to push myself out of my comfort zone in order to be a change agent.
12/08/12
Can I be a Change Agent?
Wow! I cannot believe that I will be in South Africa in a little over two weeks! This semester has been so busy with lesson plans, exams, and other extra curriculars that I really haven't had the time to sit and realize that I will be traveling to Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA!
I have always wanted to study abroad as part of the college experience; I finally got around to planning and applying last summer. However, for some reason, I did not make it into the program that I applied to last summer. Therefore, as soon as the fall semester began, I made sure to apply early to make it into this program. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be going on this study abroad experience. What drew me to this program was the social justice and change agent aspects. As a future elementary school teacher, it is important to discuss social justice issues in the classroom and think of ways to be change agents in our community and world today. Therefore, this study abroad experience will immerse me in social justice and empower me to discuss social justice issues with my students.
I do have expectations for this trip to South Africa. I expect to feel nervous, excited, empowered, lonely, upset, and joyous. Besides this mix of emotions, I do expect to be immersed in the South African culture and learn from the locals there. I also expect to make new friends and learn how to travel in a country outside of the United States. However, instead of focusing on expectations, I want to focus on my hopes for myself throughout this study abroad experience. I hope to be present throughout the experience and truly apply myself, especially during the service learning portion. So much of what we remember is based on what we do with our hands. Therefore, I want to gain tools to be a change agent and and what better way than by participating in a service project. Also, I hope that I take a look at myself and how I am living in the United States. Can I be a change agent back in Morris, MN? Can I be a change agent in my future classroom? I want to embrace the many different perspectives I will be exposed to in South Africa and bring what I learn back to my blessed life and bring about change in the United States.
I am so excited to be traveling to South Africa, and I am ready to push myself out of my comfort zone in order to be a change agent.
Looking forward to your blogs. Sounds like a great trip, something I always wanted to do. God Bless.