My Definition: Communication is the transferring of information between two or more parties. The information can be transferred verbally or non verbally and can be intentional or unintentional. 

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My Criteria: Organized, focused, goal-oriented, critical thinker, and problem solver. 

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Reflection: Study Abroad to South Africa and Swaziland

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My most fulfilling service encounter was during my study abroad program to South Africa and Swaziland this past winter break. For five days of my study abroad we stayed in an orphanage in a small town called Bulembu. At a young age, I was adopted so this study abroad was the perfect opportunity for me to not only help others but also interact with kids who are in a position I was once in. During these five days we learned about the orphanage, were fortunate enough to interact with some of the kids, learned about the leadership program the orphans are in, and helped renovate a home kids will move into.

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Speaking to the kids was an incredible experience. On our last full day in Bulembu, we had the opportunity to have dinner with a group of kids. The women on our study abroad were sat at tables full of girls and the men were seated with a group of boys. Our professor thought by doing this, the kids would feel more comfortable speaking with us. At the table I sat with, I had four girls whose ages ranged from 6 to 14. In their school, they learned three different languages, English being one of them, so there was no language barrier with most of the girls. The only language barrier was with the little six year old but we still understood each other using non-verbal ques like pointing to certain things and having the other girls translate. All the girls felt very comfortable talking with me and we spoke about everything from Justin Bieber, their schooling, and crazy U.S. foods. Not too long after the fun and random conversations, came more serious conversations. They wanted to know what college was like, if living alone was scary, and if I had ever fallen in love. For them, it was a unique experience having a college aged student speak to them and for me, it was an eye opening experience speaking to such mature little girls. 

 

Talking to them and giving them advice was such a memorable experience because even though they don’t have a family, they are the happiest people I have ever met. They were just normal girls trying to get through life the best they could together. Having the opportunity to communicate was a great experience for both them and me. It is because of them that I will live every day to the fullest and truly find happiness in whatever life brings my way. The five days zoomed by and I will never forget those sweet faces. Seeing how happy those kids were, even though they didn’t know what the future held for them, is what made my study abroad the most distinct and beautiful trip I have ever been on.

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Below I have included a guide a couple of girls and I made the night before we had the opportunity to sit down and talk with the kids. We wanted to make the most of our time with them and this guide helped us keep the conversations going and for them to be meaningful.