Decolonizing the Mind: Racial and Environmental Justice

It is difficult for me to summarize the entire semester for there were several individually unique factors that require analysis in their own respects. However, all these factors accumulated together leads me to overall love this program. This semester has done some much and now means so much more to me than I would have ever imagined. I'd give the overall trip experience a 9/10. I would recommend anyone, of any background or degree, to go on this trip. It will help you understand humanity better and therefore hopefully plant a suitable seed inside of you that will grow towards living in and for love rather than hate.

Overall, CGEE Southern Africa is a very rewarding experience. I especially appreciated the number of trips incorporated into the program, including stays in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Elundini, Ludertiz, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, etc. We also had a total of three homestays, which helped us better understand the local culture. This was appreciated, especially because it can be hard to meet locals when our program is just US students. I hope that in the future there is more collaboration with UNAM so that CGEE students find it easier to make friends with Namibian university students. The majority of the program is spent in a single house in Windhoek, which can at times feel very isolating from the rest of the community. It is also worth noting that Windhoek is not a very large city and many places (besides bars) close early (as in before or at 5pm) so fellow students and I sometimes had trouble finding things to do for fun. Windhoek also has its share of criminal activity, even on the street that the CGEE house is on, so it is worth keeping that in mind when selecting a program. The professors at CGEE are all very wise and passionate about what they do, and will do anything they can to help you succeed. Classes have a lot of speakers and field trips, so I was never bored. Assignments are not especially academically challenging. Overall I had a life changing experience with CGEE, and would recommend the program to most anyone.

Overall great program the staff and professors truly do make this program as well as the traveling throughout the semester. However, I do wish I got to interact with more University students and that their was more help getting involved in community activities, there is a lot on this program that you have to do and find yourself.