This journey started over a year ago with the application process and interview, which led to acceptance and an orientation in D.C. where I met the nine other South Africa ETAs. We have a fantastic group of people, and I am pumped to get to work with them during the upcoming nine months of our program! Out of the ten of us total, four (including myself) have been placed at Sedibeng College and will be living together in a house in the city of Vereeniging. The other six ETAs are spread between Pretoria, Umlanzi, Stellenbosch, and Rustenburg. When it comes to pronouncing the name of my future home, believe me, I've listened to the pronunciation online way too many times, had South Africans try to teach me, and have avoided saying "Vereeniging" to people when they ask where I'll be and instead reply "I'll be outside of Johannesburg." I'm hoping once I get there it will just roll off the tongue!
On January 21st I'll complete approx. twenty-two hours of time in the air : Eau Claire --> Chicago --> D.C. --> Johannesburg --> Cape Town, arriving on the 22nd. I'm planning to have some downtime in Cape Town to adjust to the time difference, enjoy some summer beach weather (you can bet after these last couple freaking frigid days in Wisconsin, I'll be sunbathing at the beach even if it's 60 degrees F!!), and see some friends from past visits. From there I'll fly back to Johannesburg on the 27th to begin our Fulbright orientation at the U.S. Embassy. Flash forward a couple of days to January 30th (also the day marking my 26th trip around the sun!) and Amanda, Cory, Esther, and I will be moving into our new South African home in Vereeniging! What a memorable birthday that will be!!!!!
I am thrilled beyond words for this opportunity and adventure that awaits me. I have felt a void these past months being out of the classroom and I am very much looking forward to working with students again. My time teaching in Las Vegas has changed my life in more ways than I can even know yet, and my time in South Africa will undoubtedly be life changing as well. People have asked what I'll do when I am done with this Fulbright Grant, but for me it is impossible to plan ahead even to November knowing that so many different opportunities may come or go throughout these months. I do know that I would never have gotten to this point if it weren't for you; family, friends, co-workers, and students. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for all the support and inspiration. I'm hoping this blog will help me stay connected to you all half a world away, and I'll try to update it every other week…
i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart) -e.e.cummings
Much love,
Kelly
xoxoxoxoxo
YAY!! See you in Pretoria! XoXo!
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