By Seraj Saboungi
It was a foul little cell it was. The moment I got thrown inside, my nose immediately recoiled from the pungent smell and a constant trickle of water hit the heavy floor in one corner from a leaking pipe, a rhythmic ‘drip, drip, drip.’
The speaker moved his finger up and down with each drip, his eyes making their way around the room, slowly looking at each student’s captivated face. He was a phenomenal storyteller, knowing exactly when to be serious and when to be humorous. After a quick pause, he resumed:
I heard a deep, hearty laugh coming from the cell next to mine. A calm yet commanding voice of a man reassured me that, though I might hate it now, the endless drips of water would become a constant part of my life. ‘They’ll help you keep track of each passing second,’ he said. ‘What is your name,” I asked. He warmly replied, ‘My name is Nelson Mandela, but you may call me Madiba.’
In the small crowd of listeners, Sabrina Sanders sat attentively. She was an arm’s length away from Lionel Davis, artist and ex-Robben Island political prisoner who was jailed next to Nelson Mandela. Sanders has always been fascinated with global cultures and learning their history. When she signed up for the UF in Cape Town study-abroad program, she knew the trip would speak to her interests. But she did not know that she would get the rare opportunity to meet Lionel Davis, a well-known figure in South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement that started in 1959.
Fortunately for Sanders, she experienced this unforgettable encounter during the UF in Cape Town program in 2022. This study-abroad program was created by University Writing Program (UWP) faculty members Dr. Andréa Caloiaro and Dr. Angela Walther, who crafted the class to teach students the relationship between public communication and its educational, social, and environmental effects on a community. Summer 2022 marked the program’s inaugural trip, and Walters traveled with and taught participating students. As part of their study, students partnered with a nonprofit organization of their choice in Cape Town and helped with their group’s ongoing projects.
During his time in UF in Cape Town, student Kyle Garner was most inspired by the stunning topography, or landscape, that Cape Town boasts: its mountains and beaches, beautiful coastline, and the dry, sunny climate that everyone enjoys. The environmental beauty motivated Garner to choose a nonprofit that works to improve local conservation efforts.
In his search, Garner encountered Sun Sign Permaculture, a nonprofit organization specializing in transforming schools into successful permaculture, or agricultural, spaces. They were in the middle of a summer project, and Garner was able to write effective, persuasive, and informative content to promote their work, solicit donations, and educate legislators and the public.
Through this work with the nonprofit, Garner was able to connect with the community. “I met so many people because of the volunteering and heard so many stories within the community,” he recalls. “Those people and what they said stuck with me and probably will for the rest of my life, in the best way. [The experience] allowed me a new perspective.”
On the flight back home, Garner sat next to Sanders, and they reflected on and shared their experiences with one another. Amazed that they earned college credit from such an unforgettable moment in their life, they agreed that opportunities like UF in Cape Town enhance the learning experience. They gained proficiency in writing on behalf of a nonprofit organization—advancing their skills in communicating complex ideas clearly and concisely both in academic and professional settings. Plus, they got to hear life stories from fascinating people like Lionel Davis.
Garner and Sanders also noticed a difference in sustainable living between Cape Town and Gainesville. They realized the importance of continuing environmentally friendly habits they learned abroad. “I really started thinking about how to live sustainably and keep the momentum I had built up there when I got back home,” Sanders stated. “Living there in a world that is so different from our life in America really makes you think about how you live and what you spend your energy on.”
The learning experiences, stories, and memories these students took from their trip came through a collaboration between the University Writing Program and UF’s International Center. UF in Cape Town allowed these two to become well-rounded students who can now apply their experiences abroad to their daily lives in Gainesville. Students who have a desire for social harmony and an appreciation for the rich history of other countries are the perfect candidates for UF in Cape Town. More information is available at Study Abroad on the UF International Center website.
About Seraj Saboungi: Seraj Saboungi is a Syrian American born and raised in Daytona Beach to immigrant parents. He speaks multiple languages including Arabic, English, and Spanish. He is a 4th year student at UF, and, in his future career, hopes to bring together his two biggest passions: sports and technology.