Welcome to Our Blog

Welcome to Our Blog
As anyone who has participated in UConn's Education Abroad in Cape Town will tell you there are no words to adequately explain the depth of the experiences, no narratives to sufficiently describe the hospitality of the people, and no pictures to begin to capture the exquisite scenery. Therefore this blog is only intended to provide an unfolding story of the those co-educators who are traveling together as companions on this amazing journey. As Resident Director of this program since 2008 it is once again my privilege and honor to accompany another group of remarkable UConn students to this place I have come to know and love.
In peace, with hope,
Marita McComiskey, PhD
(marita4peace@gmail.com)

Sunday, April 30, 2017

Kaitlyn's final week of the program

Looking down on he Co-educators
This past week or so has been the most unreal week of my entire life and not necessarily in a good or bad way. I don’t even have words to describe most of it. After moving out of Loch Road and into the Park Inn Hotel in Newlands, the rest of my time with my co-educators FLEW BY. 

Our last week of the program was filled with many lasts, goodbyes, a few tears (happy & sad), and even more lasting memories with some of my favorite people. Last Friday was one of the best days I have had here. The upstairs crew minus Ethan (me, Maddy, Claire, Sara, Rachele, & Laura T) went to Silvermine Trails to hike Elephant’s Eye. We hiked to the Elephant Eye Cave which was beautiful and just enjoyed everything. We didn't have to rush and on our way down we spontaneously jumped into the reservoir. We met two South African guys there who we have hung out with a lot since meeting!! There's no data or cell service where we were so we were slightly stranded with no way to get a taxi or an uber.. Ethan came to the rescue, but before he came we ended up getting an uber. It sounds like any other day here, but amidst all that had been happening it was much needed. 

Kirstenbosch is one of my favorite places here, and although I didn't spend nearly enough time there, walking around it last week with Ethan and Claire was perfect. So serene and beautiful, leaving me at such peace. I went out to lunch and to Bo-Kaap with Alex to take pictures one day which was relaxing and nice to get away from the chaos of the week. Alex and I have become so close, which is one of the many things I am so grateful for from my time here. I absolutely loved sharing an internship with her and wouldn't have changed that for anything. We were able to bond and relate over it, become great friends, and now we even have a lab class together when we get back to UConn! Thanks for talking to me and listening to me vent on our two hour daily walks and rubbing your sarcastic sassiness off on me. Tuesday night was the annual thank you internship dinner at Strand Tower Hotel in the city. This was such a wonderful night, filled with so many emotions. Everyone gave such inspiring speeches that night, I wish I recorded them. It reminded me how lucky I've been to have had this experience and to have met all these incredible people along the way, some of who make this program what it is and those who have crossed my path while here. There was a feeling of thankfulness that spread throughout the room all night, a feeling I never want to forget. At one point when Maddy and I needed some fresh air, we stepped outside onto the pool deck area and leaned against the railing looking out over the city below. We couldn’t help but think about how unready we were to leave and that our one extra week ahead would give us the perfect amount of time to relax, take it all in, and accept that we actually had to go home. Wednesday was not Alex and I’s last day of internship, since we arranged to come in for the Club Foot Clinic Friday morning. The Lumineers concert was that night, and almost all of us ended up going! It was a chill concert that ended at a reasonable time; it was the perfect outing where by the end of it we all had such an incredible time bonding, singing, and dancing together. Such love was present among us and it made me so happy and grateful to be spending my night and time here with my co-educators. Thursday Maddy, Claire, and I went to the Waterfront to get lunch and finish up some last minute shopping. We waited there for Taylor and Laura T and we all went on a sunset champagne sailboat ride. Friday was everyone’s last full day together. We didn't all spend it together unfortunately, but I think everyone enjoyed it. I overslept, but still started my morning at Maitland Cottage. The Club Foot Clinic is on Fridays so Alex and I wanted to experience it before we left. I only caught the end of it, but it was so cool. We were able to help put casts on and hold the children down that were being treated. I learned a lot and in just that one morning became even closer with the other physios and interns there. When I got back, Claire, Maddy, Sara, and I went to a hotel's rooftop pool in the city which had an incredible view; it was a nice way to end our time together since Claire was leaving the next day. Shona came with us to see sunset at Signal Hill that night. The best part was that Sara showed us a rooftop to watch it on a little down the hill because the rest of Signal Hill was super packed. It was emotional, but the best way to wrap everything up. We were so close to not going, but I couldn't be happier that we did. 

Saying goodbye to everyone at the airport on Saturday continued the unreal trend of the week and was so sad. It felt weird saying goodbye, since Cape Town is something we've all experienced together this whole time. Especially given the chaos of the week, I wasn't even close to being ready to leave which is why I'm still so glad I'm still in Cape Town. This last week has helped me to accept the fact that I'm actually leaving soon and to enjoy this wonderful city with no other obligations or responsibilities in my way. 

Parks, Kaitlyn & Vernon at final dinner
Sara, Maddy, Claire & Kaitlyn








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