I began this class with a very limited and narrow understanding of South Africa's history, culture, and issues. Now, after nine weeks of research that has culiminated into a "top of the top ten" list that our class gathered, I have a much more comprehensive view of the nation. I have learned about the turbulent history of the nation from colonization to apartheid to a New South Africa. I have learned about the prominent issue of race and how pervasive the topic is in every day culture. I have learned that not all are equal in today's South Africa: coloured people, women, the LGBT community, and many more still live under a blanket of oppression or discrimination. And I have learned that And I have learned that with this inequality there are many other issues that the newly democratic nation still needs to face, including education reforms, gangs, and the abject poverty disparity. As we continue past the halfway point of our course and begin designing our service projects, I will keep this new knowledge in mind and close to my heart so I understand both where we are going and why we are there to serve and learn.
For reference, here are the top 10 items that my peers and I have gathered:
TOP 10 READINGS & VIDEOS
Maymester 2015, South Africa
I really enjoyed your post! I agree that this really helped in better our understandings of South Africa. I learned so much from these past blog assignments as well and will remember all of it when we travel to Cape Town.
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