I am currently the Associate Director of the Women’s Studies Program at the University of Connecticut where, in addition to my other work, I have developed and run an internship program required for WS majors but also open to students from any other majors. Therefore, as someone who has coordinated an internship program for over 15 years I am well aware of how beneficial internships, as well as other forms of experiential and service learning, can be in enabling students to integrate their academic knowledge with personal and professional experience.
It was because of my work with internships that I was invited to participate in the initial meeting between representatives of the university and Rev. Vernon Rose, who was to become the on-site coordinator responsible for securing placement sites for UConn’s Honors in Cape Town Study Abroad Program. Although I was not in a position to consider leaving the country at that time, when I was asked a few years later if I would be willing to serve as resident director from January-May 2008, I agreed. At the time, it was understood that it was to be a one semester assignment.
However, for more reasons and circumstances than I can begin to describe, and with more gratitude than I can ever express, I have been privileged to be able to continue in this role for what is now my third year. During this time it has been an honor for me to get to know and work with 52 incredible UConn students, from a wide variety of backgrounds, majors and perspectives. For an array of different reasons, these co-educators of mine, chose to participate in the only current UConn study abroad opportunity that requires participation in a three day a week internship. There are other study abroad programs in which students take classes, live in dorms, and perhaps get to travel around the country and learn experientially, without the ‘stress’ or ‘burdens’ of doing an internship at the same time as taking classes. There are other programs available that offer international internship opportunities without course work. But these students have selected what I personally believe to be the absolute best combination ----although I do understand that much more is required of those who participate in the particular program.
Taking two classes with native Capetonians provides knowledge and understanding designed and adapted for each group. Vincent Williams’ course on the history and politics of South Africa enables students to place what they are seeing and learning within the broader social context. Rev. Vernon Rose’s research methodology course on non-profits allows each student to better understand the specific organization in which they intern by looking not only at the vision, mission statement, strategic plan, and annual reports, but also the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and potential threats faced at their specific placement site.
Recognizing that vast amounts of learning also takes place outside of the classroom, I have attempted to arrange assignments for my class to expand, not compete with, those educational opportunities. Therefore, my course on the comparative study of race, class, genders, and sexualities is designed to encourage students to connect issues they are confronting in South Africa with issues they may or may not have been aware of in the U.S. As I tell them on the first day of class, this course is not designed to provide them with answers but rather to encourage them to ask questions they might not have otherwise thought to ask.
The two assignments blog followers can read are:
Blog entries (as described on syllabus):
- At least eight times during the semester you will be responsible for submitting a short entry that will be posted on the Cape Town Study Abroad Blog (cptadventures2010.blogspot.com). These entries are to include insightful comments that serve to make connections between your experiences in Cape Town (both at your internship and beyond), your course work (readings, classroom discussions, videos, guest speakers, etc), and current events.
- Although not every entry will include all of these elements, the entries taken together will demonstrate a broad range of integration of theory and practice, insight and awareness, challenges and achievements. Entries may include pictures, links to related online material, or other creative material you deem acceptable. Blog entries are to be submitted in essay format and written for an audience that has not been to South Africa or taken a course on race and gender.
The blog entries have been designed to provide each student an opportunity to make time to reflect upon and articulate what she/he is thinking/feeling/experiencing (admittedly an easier task for some than others). The added bonus of this assignment is that it also provides those interested in learning more about Cape Town and this program a chance to gain insight as seen through the eyes of students as their journey unfolds.
An Activist/Community Service Assignment (as described on syllabus):
- Taking this course while living and working in South Africa provides opportunities to increase awareness of a wide range of social issues such as: violence against women, poverty, hunger, discrimination, HIV/AIDS as well as many other health, social, political, educational, environmental and economic forms of injustice. When studying such issues it is not uncommon to become angered, guilt-ridden, frustrated, overwhelmed and/or disheartened by the magnitude of the problems and how much needs to be done to begin to alleviate such conditions.
- Having the opportunity to intern at an organization designed to address one or more of these social circumstances provides a ready-made answer to the often challenging question—“what can be done about this?” However, as you have and will continue to discover, there is always more to be done. For many, becoming involved in one area opens the door to other possibilities of working for positive social change. With that in mind, this project is intended to offer one additional opportunity for you to DO SOMETHING to address one issue beyond the scope of your current internship, about which you are interested, concerned, and/or passionate.
Identify an issue:
- Identify an issue that is different from the area of work being done at your internship but IS within the scope of the course context.
- Explore the types of projects that are being done or might be done to help alleviate the conditions resulting from this social problem.
Decide what you will do:
- Consider the possibility of applying skills you might have already developed through activist efforts at your school, religious, social, or civic organization.
- Or, focus on a new initiative to explore knowledge and abilities you may want to apply in working on similar issues once you return to the states
- Identify places throughout Cape Town that undoubtedly have opportunities for you to assist with initiatives in addressing the social problem(s), which you have identified.
- Be creative with this assignment and pick a project that speaks to you and your concerns.
- Write a one-page proposal describing: the issue you will address with this project; why you selected this particular area: and what specific actions you will take.
- Commit a minimum of 12 hours to this work. Document when and how you spent this time.
- Write a brief (2-3 page) report on your project once it has been completed.
- Present a brief description of the project to the class.
The activist project was not originally intended as a blog submission. However, as I began reading their papers I realized that what they had written about their community service experiences would add greatly to their previous posts. Since they were not written for the purpose of posting, I have asked permission of each student to upload her or his paper. I believe those who read these entries will agree that they are well worth sharing.
Those who have followed this blog from its inception have surely witnessed the growing awareness students have experienced throughout their time here. And, as those who have traveled the road to social consciousness before know only too well, such insight can bring with it more introspection than is sometimes comfortable, more challenges than anticipated, and many more questions than answers. With that said, as the students begin to prepare for their trip back to the United States, I believe many are starting to realize they are about to embark on yet another journey....one that may take them in directions they can not yet begin to imagine. So I will send them forward with a Capetonian blessing: “GO WELL!”
In peace, with hope,
Marita McComiskey
South African Blessing
Walk tall, walk well, walk safe, walk free
...and may harm never come to thee.
Walk wise, walk good, walk proud, walk true
...and may the sun always smile on you.
Walk prayer, walk hope, walk faith, walk light
...and may peace always guide you right.
Walk joy, walk brave, walk love, walk strong
...and may life always give you song.
Walk tall, walk well, walk safe, walk free
...and may harm never come to thee.
Walk wise, walk good, walk proud, walk true
...and may the sun always smile on you.
Walk prayer, walk hope, walk faith, walk light
...and may peace always guide you right.
Walk joy, walk brave, walk love, walk strong
...and may life always give you song.
And on a more personal note:
When I was about the age of these students, my ‘study abroad’ consisted of spending a year living and working on an Indian Reservation in Montana as a VISTA volunteer. It was that experience which sparked my social consciousness and transformed my world-view in ways that never would have happened without my immersion in a totally different culture . . . regardless of the amount of course work done or degrees accumulated. Having completed my PhD in Sociology (after taking many years off from school to help rear our children) I learned the theories and language to further explore issues surrounding the social construction of race, class, and gender ... but my true understanding of the prejudice, discrimination, and social injustice too often associated with these categories began during my long ago 'study abroad' experience. That is why today, as a widow and mother of four adult sons, the opportunity to serve as resident director/faculty advisor for this particular study abroad program has enlivened me with ongoing inspiration and a renewed hope for a better world.
When I was about the age of these students, my ‘study abroad’ consisted of spending a year living and working on an Indian Reservation in Montana as a VISTA volunteer. It was that experience which sparked my social consciousness and transformed my world-view in ways that never would have happened without my immersion in a totally different culture . . . regardless of the amount of course work done or degrees accumulated. Having completed my PhD in Sociology (after taking many years off from school to help rear our children) I learned the theories and language to further explore issues surrounding the social construction of race, class, and gender ... but my true understanding of the prejudice, discrimination, and social injustice too often associated with these categories began during my long ago 'study abroad' experience. That is why today, as a widow and mother of four adult sons, the opportunity to serve as resident director/faculty advisor for this particular study abroad program has enlivened me with ongoing inspiration and a renewed hope for a better world.
No comments:
Post a Comment