Great experience!!

This is the 9th week in Port Alfred. Time is flying. I will tell the highlights of these weeks shortly. The first week was our introduction week. We learned a lot about South Africa. For example the history, but also the traditional food. We had also a visit to the primary schools in the townships. After that we could choose witch school we want for our internship.

Internship
For now internship is really started. The practical school were I’m going is the Port Alfred Primary School. The school is situated in Station Hill, a township that was established as a separate residential area for colored photos , under the apartheid system or Group Areas Act . This school has about 835 pupils. In grade 1 (group 3) where they learn to read and write , there is an average of 50 students in the class.

Every day I feel very welcome. I am here every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8.00 until 12.00. When I have activities with the learners I stay until 14.00. The day starts with all the teachers together, the principal is telling al the highlights of the day. On Monday there is always an assembly with all the learners. A special moment to start a new week. The first weeks of our internship was like an orientation. I observe different groups. I also had conversations with the principal about the problem statement. We have an own classroom to work every day. And I feel free to walk in the classrooms to observe. The teachers are very helpful. Week 3.4 until 3.7 I was working on my proposal. Last two weeks I was busy with data collection through a questionnaire and interviews. When we have coffee break all the teachers sit together and we have nice conversations. In period 4 Ida and I will start to work with a group slow learners. We will teach them the alphabet. We will do this every Wednesday.

Campus
I live in a house called 'Vickey's’ . I share my room together with two friends. A nice place, in a cozy house. In a 5 minute walk we are on campus. We eat there every day our breakfast, lunch and dinner. That's fine. The transport is well organized every day. They bring us every day to the townships and they pick is up again.

Traveling
We already travelled a lot.. We went to different places, like Jeffreys’ bay a beautiful place by sea. And we went to Port Elizabeth a place with history, we had there a city tour. Another weekend we travelled to the wild coast of South Africa. It was a long drive, but the route was absolutely beautiful! This area showed the real South Africa. Much less touristy and the Xhosa people still live traditional here. In Morganbay we went to the 'camping' . We were in a mobile home. The next day we drove to Coffeebay . We have made a difficult hike. Again with beautiful views. For example the famous 'Hole in the Wall'. And we saw

dolphins swimming in the sea! Ofcourse we also went on a safari tour. We saw a lot of animals.. Beautiful elephants, buffalo's, giraffes, zebra's!

What I especially experience is that I love it here . The weekend breaks are great, but also a day on campus or the happy children in school. We have fun all together. Great food, drinks, the sun is shining, everyone is happy, the country is beautiful etc.

See you next time!