Well the Earth continues to spin on its axis, and time continues to fly by. This post should have been written some time ago-- but who's keeping score, right?
Some months ago, August actually, I joined a group of wonderful students and two other professors on a school trip to South Africa. My role was to intern for the International Strategic Communication Management program, which I have since been asked to take over for the next academic school year. The program focuses on building strong skills in creating communication campaigns for real clients-- this year's client was the country of South Africa's Tourism Board. My students were tasked with creating a marketing campaign aimed at encouraging Singaporeans to consider South Africa for future international vacations. And, in order for them to create such a campaign, they would have to go for themselves and visit all of the "must-see" sights that the incredible country has to offer! What a trip!
We first flew to Johannesburg ("Jo-Burg," or "Josie" for the locals) and spent a few days discovering recent yet prolific history. We visited many culturally significant spots and learned a great deal about apartheid in South Africa; visiting jails and museums that house a wealth of information about Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, and many others who worked tirelessly to bring South Africans of all colors to be the great "Rainbow Nation" it strives to be today.
We then headed north to the incredible Pilanesberg National Park for two days of animal adventuring. Seeing rhinos, wildebeests, impalas, and giraffes up close was an experience I'll never forget. Nor was the afternoon standoff we had with a bull elephant in must who trumpeted at our jeep as if to say "I'm a lot bigger than you and you are in my way, MOVE!" We weren't slow to retreat to a safer distance to then watch as he pushed over trees that were unable to move with such swiftness as we did.
From the game park we headed south to Cape Town for a couple days of touring South Africa's wine country while also taking a day trip to Robben Island (the Alcatraz-esque prison that housed Mandela). Wine country in South Africa is similar to that of California, only with more monkeys and zebras. As you can tell from the pictures, it was an amazing trip. Next year's destination-- Sri Lanka. Cheers,
Chris
