Study Abroad Students Share Experiences

Truman students who traveled to Cape Town, South Africa last summer to participate in the Study Abroad program, “Democracy and Human Rights in South Africa,” will share their experiences at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room C.

Twelve students from Truman traveled to Cape Town from May 14–June 5. The trip gave them an opportunity to live and work in one of most beautiful cities in the world while studying the multiple concerns facing South Africa as it strives to become a progressive democracy.

Students and faculty at Sivunyile National Baptist Church in Guguletu township. From left: Elaine McDuff, Artesia Willis, Breanne Palmer, Kathrine Olsen Flaate, Cameron Poole (back), Austin Roberts (front), Adam Conway, Megan Turnure, Clint Mohs, Erin Erhardt, Colette Linton, Krista Goodman and Abigail Helmick.

The heart of the program was an internship opportunity that directly involved students with institutions that are wrestling with South Africa’s troubled past and helping create a modern, democratic civil society. Each student worked for 10 days with a non-governmental agency whose mission is to address issues of social injustice and their continuing impact on formerly disenfranchised South Africans, especially women, children, immigrants and AIDS victims.

The other days were spent visiting museums and historical sites, and hearing lectures on contemporary political and economic issues in South Africa.

The public is welcome to attend the presentation, and refreshments will be served.