Reflective Essay Sample
1. Indicate interests (academic and creative/cultural) as they relate to the study travel description:
Academically, I am interested in this trip because I want gain to knowledge on the health realities in Africa. I run an organization with my friend Jaree, in which we seek to improve the health of women in underserved communities and I hope this experience will shed some light on some common health issues that may be a reoccurring issue among women of color. In addition, as a political science major I would love to learn more about their parliamentary and constitutional republic. Creatively and culturally I want to be exposed to the culture, history, and costumes to gain an understanding of a new life and culture.
2. Indicate relevant …show more content…
course(s) in which you are enrolled (Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science, International Studies, Comparative Women’s Studies, etc.) I have been in Comparative Politics, which outlined the political systems of major countries however; the class did not extensively cover South Africa. Religion, which address some African derived traditions. Race Relations, which covers the sociological approach to race (main focus), gender, class, and sexuality. Women and Music covered the origins of music for African Americans discussing spirituals and traditional ceremonies that women would often put on for the men.
3. Indicate previous experience (study abroad or community service):
I have studied abroad in South Korea and truly loved every minute of my time.
I have also done a medical missions trip in Haiti, which was eye opening. Both experiences have made me more appreciative of my education and of the other cultures and people.
4. Tell us why you’re interested in South Africa. Your response should be no more than 250 words in length (attach separate form if necessary).
I am interested in going to South Africa because I want to learn more about its culture, history, and my people. Culturally, I would love to learn about their art, dance practices, and food. Historically, I would love to learn more about the significance of Cape Town in relations to the slave trade and put my feet on the sand of the Boulders Beach. I would also love to visit and learn more about Robben Island and see where they held Nelson Mandela. I feel like learning about the details, cause, and outcome of the Apartheid from the perspective of the people that are still living with the aftermath of such oppressive times would be significantly different from the books that I have read in high school, so I am excited to visit such a historically important place. Finally, I would love to visit the Slave Lodge part of the Iziko Museum in Cape Town because I am a visual learner, and think that see this part of my history in addition to my reading would make my connection with South Africa and the diaspora more intimate and
real.
5. Please identify the Spelman College faculty member that you would like to work with as a research/ project advisor:
Dr. Kasahun Woldemariam, and I would like to explore the cultural and political effects of the Apartheid, or how to spark awareness about the health realities and challenges for women in South Africa.
Academically, I am interested in this trip because I want gain to knowledge on the health realities in Africa. I run an organization with my friend Jaree, in which we seek to improve the health of women in underserved communities and I hope this experience will shed some light on some common health issues that may be a reoccurring issue among women of color. In addition, as a political science major I would love to learn more about their parliamentary and constitutional republic. Creatively and culturally I want to be exposed to the culture, history, and costumes to gain an understanding of a new life and culture.
2. Indicate relevant …show more content…
course(s) in which you are enrolled (Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science, International Studies, Comparative Women’s Studies, etc.) I have been in Comparative Politics, which outlined the political systems of major countries however; the class did not extensively cover South Africa. Religion, which address some African derived traditions. Race Relations, which covers the sociological approach to race (main focus), gender, class, and sexuality. Women and Music covered the origins of music for African Americans discussing spirituals and traditional ceremonies that women would often put on for the men.
3. Indicate previous experience (study abroad or community service):
I have studied abroad in South Korea and truly loved every minute of my time.
I have also done a medical missions trip in Haiti, which was eye opening. Both experiences have made me more appreciative of my education and of the other cultures and people.
4. Tell us why you’re interested in South Africa. Your response should be no more than 250 words in length (attach separate form if necessary).
I am interested in going to South Africa because I want to learn more about its culture, history, and my people. Culturally, I would love to learn about their art, dance practices, and food. Historically, I would love to learn more about the significance of Cape Town in relations to the slave trade and put my feet on the sand of the Boulders Beach. I would also love to visit and learn more about Robben Island and see where they held Nelson Mandela. I feel like learning about the details, cause, and outcome of the Apartheid from the perspective of the people that are still living with the aftermath of such oppressive times would be significantly different from the books that I have read in high school, so I am excited to visit such a historically important place. Finally, I would love to visit the Slave Lodge part of the Iziko Museum in Cape Town because I am a visual learner, and think that see this part of my history in addition to my reading would make my connection with South Africa and the diaspora more intimate and
real.
5. Please identify the Spelman College faculty member that you would like to work with as a research/ project advisor:
Dr. Kasahun Woldemariam, and I would like to explore the cultural and political effects of the Apartheid, or how to spark awareness about the health realities and challenges for women in South Africa.