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Published: February 22nd 2011
Hello everyone,
Well, my first week in South Africa has been really nice. I am staying at Plumpudding Bed and Breakfast in Auckland Park near the University of Johannesburg. I say staying at the Bed and Breakfast, actually I am staying a 5 minute walk away at student housing for U of Jo'burg students. The B&B has about 8 self-catering apartments that they rent out as well so I am amongst students. It is quite nice except for Saturday nights when the parties happen.
I am based at the Centre for Social Development in AFrica at one of the 4 U of Jo'burg campuses. It is about a 20 minute walk and as it is summer here it is great exercise. Everyone worries about me walking but I have not had any problems so will continue to do this. I know that Jo'burg is suppose to be a dangerous place and I am sure it is but somehow it feels a bit out of proportion. Everyone seems to fear everyone, whether you are Black, coloured or white but it is subtle and silent fear. I try and look everyone I pass in the face and greet them. I always get a friendly response.
When you get into your car, the first thing you do is lock the door and leave the window closed or a bit open. Handbags go down by the door and not on the seat.
The University of Jo'burg used to be all AFrikaans but is now integrated. The University of Whits was for white people during Apartheid but is also mixed now to. I have been able to go and meet both of the social work staff at both universities and this has been great.
Today was a great day for me. I got to co-teach a class with a colleague here at the University of Jo'burg. It was on assessment and intervention in social work. We got talking about colonization and oppression and we had a good discussion about the affects of apartheid on the psyche of S.A. I was able to talk about the First Nations situation in Canada and some of the issues they are facing due to residential schools. We then talked about interventions and i was able to run some of my thoughts by them about culturally relevant social work interventions. It was difficult S.A. is such a diverse society with many different traditions but I was able to challenge them to think critically about present interventions and if these interventions do meet the needs of their clients. The class was very lively and my colleague is a kindred spirit about many things and certainly about doing small groups in class and providing a place that people can discuss and debate openly. Apparently this is not so common.
The weather here has been mixed. Some days are cloudy and rainy and others are sunny.
Because I have no car I have only ventured out to a few places. I hope to do some more looking around Jo'burg.
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Katee
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testing!
Hey, just testing out the comment function here! Also, so cool that you guys have a travel blog! I look forward to being a spectator on your crazy trip.