Ready, Set, South Africa: A Journey of Discovery and Adventure

By:

Sam Willard

Published:

Countries

Demographics

, , , , , ,

Majors

Regions

Sam Willard

<i>Pronouns:</i> He/him/his <i>Home Institution:</i> Forsyth Technical College <i>Expected Graduation:</i> 2024 <i>Major / Minor:</i> Sociology / Criminal Justice <i>Study Abroad Location:</i> Cape Town, South Africa <i>"Hello" in your host country's language:</i> Hallo (Afrikaans) <i>Program Provider:</i> Central Piedmont Community College <i>Identity:</i> Hispanic/Latinx, Multiracial, First-Generation College Student, Community College Student, Transfer Student, Returning/Adult Learner, Parent, LGBTQ+ <i>Future Career Goals:</i> Social advocacy/Law <i>Top 3 Goals for your time abroad:</i> 1) Learn more about the language Afrikaans. 2) See where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. 3) Study social advocacy and learn new concepts.

Hello, my name is Sam! I currently live in Raleigh, NC, with my wife, daughter, and two German Shepherds. I attend Forsyth Technical Community School and will be attending a local four-year university next academic year, with a major in Sociology/Criminal Justice. I will be studying abroad in Cape Town, South Africa. My program will focus on social justice and criminal justice reform. I’ve had a non-standard approach to my education, as I’ve been working in the medical field for over a decade. I look forward to being able to show that there’s no singular path to education and unique experiences abroad.

I have an extensive medical background as a paramedic for a decade, so learning the rich medical history that Cape Town has to offer is one of the things I am most excited about. I also advocate for social and criminal justice reform in my local community and Cape Town offers additional insight into different approaches, as a city rich in controversial history. Because of Cape Town’s diverse history, it was my number one study-abroad choice. I’m very much looking forward to leaning into this experience and absorbing as much of the culture and history as possible.

Studying abroad in South Africa will provide unique opportunities to engage with social justice and criminal justice reform issues, a passion of mine. By gaining a deeper understanding of these topics, I can better prepare myself for future work toward creating more just and equitable societies. South Africa is home to many nonprofit organizations working on social justice issues, such as gender-based violence, education equity, and LGBTQ+ rights. Connecting with these organizations can provide opportunities for hands-on learning and networking with local activists. Apartheid in South Africa can provide a deep understanding of how social injustices and systemic racism can impact a society. This knowledge can inform advocacy and policy work in criminal justice reform. This will be instrumental in furthering my education and approach to future community work.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about my study abroad plans and how they connect to my future goals in social justice and criminal justice reform. If you’re interested in following my journey and learning more about my experiences in South Africa, I invite you to visit my blog on the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) website. The FEA is a fantastic resource for students seeking funding for study abroad programs, and its website also features blogs from current FEA scholars, including myself. By following my blog, you can get a firsthand account of what it’s like to study abroad in South Africa and learn about the many ways in which I’m engaging with issues related to social justice and criminal justice reform. Thank you again for your support, and I look forward to sharing my experiences with you! approach to future community work.