"Do it All" by Branden Bosler

As I look back on my last 4 weeks in Africa, I realize that this trip, without a doubt the greatest I’ve ever taken, has been a culmination of some of the most amazing and memorable times of my life. I did things I never imagined doing when I swam with great white sharks. I conquered fears I once thought unconquerable when I jumped off the world’s highest bungee bridge. I met people I had only ever read about in books when Ahmed Kathrada, Nelson Mandela’s cellmate and political confidant, gave us a tour of Robben Island. I interacted with animals only before ever seen on my television when I got to hold the trunk of an African elephant and then the next day go on a safari. I met and befriended people with whom I never thought I’d cross paths when I spent time in the township of Sir Lowry’s Pass. I slept in places I never imagined sleeping when I in turn, slept with my new friends in their homes. I experienced love from complete strangers in this same place. I drank more wine than I ever imagined drinking when I toured vineyard after vineyard in the towns of Franschoek and Stellenbosch. I ate food I never thought I’d eat when I ordered ostrich steak and then the next night ordered kudu. I climbed mountains I once thought impossible when we hiked Table Mountain. I saw sights that took my breath away when I watched the sun rise over the city from the top of Lion’s Head. I saw the most beautiful sunset of my life when that same sun that I watched rise, set over the Atlantic Ocean as I looked on from the shores of Clifton Beach. I was immersed in sporting events only ever seen on TV with World Cup mania. I rode in more taxis than I ever want to again as I zipped all over the city on a daily basis. I partied later than I’ve ever partied, dancing in the clubs of Long Street until 5am. And above all, I shared all of this with once complete strangers, who have since become incredible friends.

"We are One" by Rebecca Lindner

Ironically, after filling out evaluations in class today, a friend from home asked me what “grade” I would give this program. I told him an A, hands down. This isn’t a normal study abroad program at all. I know we always mock the “service is sexy” motto, but it’s true. Somehow Global LEAD has combined every aspect of why students go abroad into one program, but it’s not like it’s a boring combination of school, service, and touristy things.. this program makes every aspect equally as amazing. I’m walking away from one of the best programs I’ve ever heard of having made some awesome friends, met some really cool people, and lived in one of the most gorgeous countries I have ever been to. The coolest people I’ve met so far are definitely the people in the township. I’m embarrassed by how much they changed my outlook on life in general. Putting faces to poverty is one thing, but Global LEAD takes it one step further and actually gives a personality to the face. You get to know these people, how many students get to say that?

After our final show on Wednesday, as everyone was saying goodbye to their families, I got Miss Thelma’s address. I didn’t do it because there was an awkward moment and I was trying to fill the space. I actually intend on writing them. In fact, I already have a letter written out, ready to mail once I print a bunch of pictures to send back. I want to keep in touch with these people, continue the conversation with them as long as possible. I am not one who is the first to sign up for doing community service in the States, and never have been, but the relationship we formed during service here truly was that special.

"Impossible Without Family" by Michael Phelps

Thankful for Family

While being away from my family and doing many things that people do not have the chance of experiencing I have learned to be grateful for everything I am able to do. I have come to realize that i am a very lucky person because I take trips like these for granted but in reality it is something I should be grateful for. On this trip I have gone skydiving, bungee jumping, zip lining, and safari tours but I have not taken in time to realize how lucky I am to be able to experience these things in such a short time of my life.

As a twenty one year old college student I am very thankful that my parents allow me to come to South Africa and experience parts of the world they have never even been. I hope to continue exploring other parts of the world but as young as I am I have been many places that my seniors have never even seen.

Through all of the experiences of this trip my favorite part is the safari and being able to see wild animals up close and personal. The safari was one of the most intriguing events that I have ever experienced. The safari made me feel like I on the discovery channel in real life. I hope to travel back and experience more safaris in my future but I am very content and happy with all I have been able to do on this trip. I know that I would never be able to experience any of this if it were not for my parents allowing me to study abroad. In the end I have learned many things and seen much in my short time on this earth. I owe everything I have done to my parents and thank them for the opportunity to be in Cape Town.

"Top 5" by Jeanna Courter

Cape Town has been one of the best experiences of my life. I never thought I would have the opportunity to do some of the things we have gotten to do and meet some of the people we have had the chance to meet. Since there is so much to tell, I decided to make a Top 5 of experiences of Cape Town so far:

Cooking Dinner for my Family- This past week we were given the opportunity to cook dinner for our families. My group decided that we were going to turn our dinner into a celebration of the time we have spent together. We bought balloons, masks and noise makers and had the family wait outside while we got the house ready. We then made them close their eyes and walked them into the house. The family immediately started crying and told us that they had never experienced a celebration like that before even for a birthday. It meant so much to me to be able to provide a surprise like that to them.

Cape Point, Boulders Beach, and Cape of Good Hope- Today we took a trip to three well known places in Cape Town. Our first stop was to Boulders Beach where we got to see African Penguins. The second stop of the day was at Cape of Good Hope. The views here were absolutely stunning, and there were rocks and boulders that we were able to climb. Our last stop of today was visiting Cape Point. Cape Point is the point where the Indian and Atlantic Ocean meet. We took about a 15 minute walk up to a lighthouse where we were able to see this point. The view from the top was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.

Wine Tour- Last weekend we took a trip to a vineyard about an hour outside of Cape Town. While there, we learned about the different grapes grown there, how to taste wine properly, and finally taste three different types of wine. We enjoyed the wine tour so much that tonight we are heading to Stellenbosch to have another wine tasting tomorrow. We are planning on heading to three different vineyards.

Bungee Jumping- Before coming to Cape Town, I had decided I would not be participating in bungee jumping. I am scared of heights, and also my mom begged me to not do it. After arriving at Bloukrans Bridge however, I decided I would regret this if I did not jump (not to mention everyone else was doing it to, so I could not really back out). Walking on the bridge to the bungee jumps was probably one of the scariest moments of my life. We all stood on the bridge and cheered each other on as one by one we jumped off. I am so glad I ended up jumping.

Sunset Champagne Cruise- The first Sunday after our adventure week, we went on a sunset champagne cruise where we got to see Cape Town from a water perspective. Since there had been two different groups throughout this trip, one who went on adventure week the first week and one that went the third week, it was a great time for us to get to know other people on the trip we had not met yet. We drank champagne and cruised around while enjoying the beautiful city of Cape Town for an hour and a half.

"Top 10" by Lina Desloge

Top ten things to do while in Cape Town:

10. Ride an elephant

9. Paraglide off of Lion’s Head

8. Hike to the top of Table Mountain

7. Barter at the Green Market

6. Spend a night on Long Street

5. Go to an Ostrich Farm

4. Go to Cubana’s for salsa night

3. Live off a Dollar a Day

2. Spend a Day in the Botanical Gardens

1. Skydive

"It's the Friendships" by Kevin McDevitt

When I first arrived in South Africa, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Then, I was thrown into a van at 5:30 in the morning and sent across to the opposite end of the country to begin my MAF adventure. My first four days were filled of extraordinary events, including bungee jumping off the world’s highest bridge, going on a safari, riding elephants, and using all-terrain vehicles to travel through jungle trails. There was so much going on that I was physically exhausted, but in the process, I learned a lot about myself and the country in which I was residing.

Bungee jumping was the most intense thing I have ever done. I literally was scared to death, and somehow I ended up going second in a large group of thirty. Of course, there were a ton of girls so I had to act brave. As soon as I got to the ledge, I seriously thought about cancelling and turning around. Too late. Before I know it, I had literally been tossed over the side of a bridge and was hurling down towards the ground. There is no experience like it in the world, and I would do it again in a heart beat.

My favorite part of this trip has been the friendships I have made. I enjoy everyone I have met here and hope to continue these relationships upon returning home. This experience has definitely been positive and if I could do it again, I would.

"Here Comes Goodbye" by: Jessica Ragsdale

To quote Charles Dickens, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Today was very bittersweet for me. We all visited Sir Lowry’s Pass as a group to celebrate our time with the township families, but it was also a sad occasion because we knew it would be the last time we would be seeing them.

Our celebration in the township was an amazing show of song and dance. “Global LEAD’s Got Talent” was headlined by groups performing Justin Bieber, Wicked, “Lean on Me”, and a special majorette performance. As always, the kids from the township left us amazed by their passion and talent for dance (especially when Michael Jackson is playing). My housemother got on stage at one point and was dancing with the other housemothers. She has impacted me so much and I felt honored when she got on stage and thanked us all by name for coming to her home, spending time with her, and making a difference in her family’s life.

Once it was time to leave, she ordered us all on the bus before she started to cry. We have all been greatly impacted by our time in Sir Lowry’s Pass and hopefully our experience there will continue to stay in the forefront of our minds and shape us for the better. One of the songs performed tonight was “For Good”, which talks about how knowing certain people in your life will change you forever. I certainly believe that knowing these families in Sir Lowry’s Pass has changed me for good. Our time spent there has allowed us to have a different outlook on life and allows us to analyze situations differently with critical reasoning and a more open mind. I never expected that the families there would be impacted by us to the extent that they were and I never expected to be impacted that much either.

Another bittersweet aspect of today was that students and professors started to depart, so we also had to say goodbye to new friends. We are all very excited to spend our last week in Cape Town and cross all of the remaining trips and experiences off of our lists, but we are now getting constant reminders that our time remaining here is short and that people are already starting to leave. I look forward to my remaining time here, but know that it is going to be bittersweet when I have to say goodbye to everyone and ultimately goodbye to Cape Town as well.

"Live with Passion" by Kathleen Block

My Top 10 Favorite Things We Have Done in Cape Town

• Our farewell dance party was by far our most exciting time in Sir Lowry’s Pass! We watched tons of songs and dances from both American students and African kids. Although it was so sad to leave the people we have come to know so well, the dance party was a great send of!
• Riding elephants on adventure week was one of the coolest things I have ever done.
• Eating my birthday dinner at Buena Vista—some of the best nachos I have ever had!
• Our trip to Robben Island, including a tour by Ahmed Kathrada, Nelson Mandela’s cellmate.
• I definitely underestimated climbing Table Mountain. It was no stroll in the park, but the view from the top was absolutely breath taking.
• The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens were beautiful and a great place to walk around on a nice day or to eat lunch
• Charly’s Bakery was such a treat for my birthday. The hot pink cup cake was to die for!
• The Neighbourgoods market at the Old Biscuit Mill open on Saturdays had the best fresh food I have ever seen. I am a huge junk food eater and this place actually made me want to eat healthy.
• Cape Point was such a cool experience. Especially seeing a baboon crawl into a cracked car window into the lap of a napping man.
• Mama Africa was a great atmosphere with great music. It was the perfect place to get an ostrich steak.

"Learn, Grow, Love" by Meredith Irwin

15 things I've learned while in South Africa:

-Jumping out of planes and off bridges is completely worth it

-Elephant skin is really rough and great white sharks are incredibly big

-Paying a bill will most likely take 30-45 minutes

-Baboons will sabotage a car for food, even if there is a person in it

-When climbing a 3000 ft mountain you should not wear long sleeves

-Ostrich tastes way better than cow

-You can sleep when you're dead- or at least when you're not in South Africa

-Nelson Mandela is the epitome of sacrificing for what you believe in

-Happiness is not defined by a dollar amount

-The children at the townships are probably the most unconditionally loving people on this planet

-Change starts today and it starts with me

-Count your blessings daily and never forget to be thankful

-When you give you get so much more in return

-Always be open to new experiences- no matter how frightening they might seem

-Love is the best gift anyone can give

I had a friend tell me that I wasn't the same person I was three weeks ago and I couldn't agree more. This trip has been an incredible learning and growing experience. I think/hope I'm coming back from this adventure a better person. The friendships I've made with the children in the townships and those I've made in our group will last forever in my heart. I am so blessed that I've had the opportunity to be apart of such an amazing program.

“Always be Curious” by Preston Shurley

Curious George was always one of my favorite series growing up. George was fascinated by the world and all it had to offer. He went through life with an unending, and often mischievous, thirst for knowledge and understanding. I learned many things from that monkey, but most importantly, George instilled in me at a young age an incredible astonishment with the world. This curiosity has been my guide for my life, especially in my time here in Cape Town. It has driven me to do things I never thought I would (jump off bridges and out of planes, swim with sharks, and free climb on the cliffs of Cape Point), it has helped me give to the point of exhaustion (painting inside the pre-school, throwing the kids of the township in the air, and spinning them around and around until we all felt like we were walking home from a long night at Tiger Tiger), and it has given me the energy to try to do everything, even when only averaging about 4 hours of sleep per night.

Cape Town is such an astonishing city, and there is so much to experience here that you never cease to be amazed. The city is gorgeous, the culture is wonderful, and the excitement of the approaching World Cup is enough to inspire anyone with a youthful enthusiasm for life. It is because of this that I am always curious. As the program comes to a close, and the reality of the flight back to America becomes all too real, my curiosity has turned into a fire to see and do everything I can before I get back to “real life.” These are the times when I wish George was on this trip. He would be a great travel companion and provide more inspiration than necessary to attempt to accomplish everything we want to do. But the potential for George is in all of us. As long as we wake each morning with a youthful curiosity for life, we carry the spirit of George in us and will be inspired to reach the full potential of life.

Always be curious. Never cease to be astonished. Love wholly. And give fully.