6 Days Left

And then I am hopping on a plane in San Francisco, wandering London (safely and intelligently) for a day, then hopping on another plane to Cape Town. My university is picking me up at the airport, and then driving me to a hostel in Stellenbosch. I will stay there, free of charge (through ISEP), and work on my tan and get used to my surroundings. And go to the beach.
Then orientation will start on January 20th. Lectures begin 4 February.

I'm taking a module on community-based service learning: and this is an excerpt from the syllabus:

COURSE CONTENT IN BRIEF

The theoretical component of the course includes a study of South African social demographics; a focus on poverty and the need for community based development; the approaches, principles and processes of community development; community based research methods; and various case studies, applications and debates in the field of community development to enrich the course content.

The service learning component focuses on the various aspects of service learning methodology; the unpacking of theoretical concepts within the context of the specific community practice settings; essential skills development for community workers; guidance with assignments; group work activities; and most importantly, it provides an infrastructure for structured reflection.

The community service-learning component refers to the contact between the student and a community of choice where the service-learning experience will take place. Students learn while rendering a needed service to the community. Students will be placed at partnering service organizations. They will spend allocated time on site for ten weeks according to a service-learning action plan and schedule under the supervision of a site supervisor. The placement will be a carefully directed learning experience, including thorough preparation of both community partners and students prior to placement. University transport will be provided between campus and placement sites.

If you're interested:
isep.org
http://www.sun.ac.za/
http://www0.sun.ac.za/international/acad.php?page=certificate