STUDENT REFLECTIONS

7. Student

Reflections

Our students are the reason we do what we do! We asked a few students to reflect on their academic experiences with EDU Africa in 2022 and recorded their responses.

Will Scott

University of Pittsburgh, Engineering for Social Change 2022

Why did you take part in the program?

Originally, I was motivated to participate in the program as a requirement for a scholarship I received during my freshman year. However, my perception of studying abroad rapidly shifted in 2020 as the global pandemic highlighted the fragile and interconnected nature of our world. Consequently, I became eager to remove myself from American culture, hoping to encounter new lifestyles and perspectives to integrate into my life and community.

What did you love about your experience?

In all honesty, I loved the people the most. Never have I felt such a strong sense of communal love and admiration proliferate a region. I am humbled and deeply thankful for the privilege to share in their lives through communion, music, and dancing.

What would you tell other students considering studying abroad in Africa?

I would strongly recommend that future students spend significant time reflecting on the traditions, customs, and beliefs of their own culture/ nation before studying abroad in South Africa, or any nation. This reflection is crucial to dismantling one’s internal cultural bias, creating space to fully immerse oneself and accept the practices of cultures outside one’s area of comfort.

How has your transformation been ongoing since the program ended?

This study abroad program gifted me the opportunity to meet incredible people who have utilized their talents and social, technical, or professional influences to affect positive change in their local communities. Since this transformative experience, I have been focusing on refining my socio-technical abilities as an engineer to effect more positive change in my local community. Upon returning to the United States, I spent the rest of my summer performing research at Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute to practice applying my technical skills to address one of the social issues I observed in South Africa - rapid urbanization. Furthermore, I am currently taking the courses Introduction to Engineering for Humanity and Introduction to Sustainable Engineering. With these classes, I hope to gain more insight into how to apply engineering principles to directly address the needs of marginalized communities through the delivery of services to meet human physiological needs.

Aj Kamalanathan

George Brown College Virtual International Community Worker Internship 2022

Why did you take part in the program?

I was unsure which sector or kind of work I wanted to be involved in. EDU Africa was perfect for me; I think I was in the process of exploring the possibilities out there. EDU Africa did just that by showing all the possible ways to do community work as well as a variety of perspectives and options. 22.

What did you love about your experience?

I loved all of it, to be honest. I enjoyed learning from Nicole (my placement supervisor) and working in partnership with the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) youth justice program. My favorite thing was getting introduced to people or organizations that are doing great work. It really broadens the possibilities when we think outside the box.

How did the program impact your development as a future community worker?

When it was time for my second-year community worker placement, I wanted an organization that was innovative and dynamic. I love the critical thinking that occurred at my placement and the openness to new ideas or approaches. I would have never (or only with a lot of due time) developed this perspective. This program further expanded my curiosity for social enterprises. The experience was priceless and is shaping my future as we speak.

In which way, if any, did the program impact the way you see your role in the global context?

I think the problems are, on a wide view, the same everywhere and always date back to social injustice and lack of access to opportunities and resources. In this regard, we can learn a lot from different or effective approaches being used in different parts of the world. Canada and South Africa share some similarities in terms of the treatment of marginalized communities in a systematically oppressive way. Cultural norms are to be strongly considered in a lot of cases, and I learned the value of respecting and working within these.

What would you tell other students considering studying abroad (virtually) in Africa?

I would let them know that no other experience will compare to this experience. Throughout our schooling, we are all taught the same thing and end up thinking the same way. This program enhanced my learning of other methods or approaches as well as enhanced my critical thinking. I think innovation is key and world knowledge should not be disregarded. Indigenous (and non-western-centered) ways of thinking and approaches have a lot of value.

How has your transformation been ongoing since the program ended?

I feel like I see things differently because of this global knowledge. I always keep in mind that community engagement or buy-in is key to any sort of success. I don’t think I would be on this path if it weren’t for my experiences with EDU Africa.