Jessica reflecting on this time for growth and understanding

After a three-hour bus ride, with some young adults we had not yet met, we finally arrived at an Goedgedatch Olive Farm, in what seemed to me, the middle of nowhere. I was pumped! I loved that all you could see for miles was hills, pastures, trees, and vegetation. I know that the majority of South Africa is really rural land and I was excited to finally be experiencing it. I needed a break from the hustle and bustle of our suburban streets and the trips into town. Looking out on our balcony was perfect. No other word for it. The sheer beauty of the view made you stop and think. Stop and think. Stop. And. Think.

Lauren, Jessica & Drew during of their presentations

This effect that the location of Human Rights Weekend had made it perfect for what we had come there to do. About 30 of us from the States and another 30 from various countries around Africa, like Zimbabwe and Tanzania, came to this Olive Farm to discuss, define, and determine Human Rights. Led by our professor, Vincent, we debated and presented, we learned and laughed, we ate and we ate.  Not only was Human Rights Weekend filled with funny presentations, signing and dancing, we also ate delicious food. I tried some olives because I figured why not? I’m on an olive farm. I also learned that I still do not like olives in the slightest.

The weekend provided me a cultural context for my life. I learned about other cultures and countries and how human rights work in these places. I also learned a lot about America and about myself throughout this weekend. After an exhausting day on Saturday of presenting to the mock United Nations about how Zimbabwe should win the $1 Billion US dollars towards human rights work, I was energized for our last day and to get to know everyone a little bit better before we went our separate ways. Even though the weekend did not end as expected I was still happy for this change from the norm. We had been getting so caught up in our routines here. 





Three days of work. One day of classes. Then three days of relaxing and having fun and going to the beach. Going to this weekend event made me realize that this is a time for learning as well as having fun. My experience in South Africa is important because it is a time for growth and understanding and human rights weekend helped me do just that.

Jessica (far right) as part of the winning team