"Impossible Without Family" by Michael Phelps

Thankful for Family

While being away from my family and doing many things that people do not have the chance of experiencing I have learned to be grateful for everything I am able to do. I have come to realize that i am a very lucky person because I take trips like these for granted but in reality it is something I should be grateful for. On this trip I have gone skydiving, bungee jumping, zip lining, and safari tours but I have not taken in time to realize how lucky I am to be able to experience these things in such a short time of my life.

As a twenty one year old college student I am very thankful that my parents allow me to come to South Africa and experience parts of the world they have never even been. I hope to continue exploring other parts of the world but as young as I am I have been many places that my seniors have never even seen.

Through all of the experiences of this trip my favorite part is the safari and being able to see wild animals up close and personal. The safari was one of the most intriguing events that I have ever experienced. The safari made me feel like I on the discovery channel in real life. I hope to travel back and experience more safaris in my future but I am very content and happy with all I have been able to do on this trip. I know that I would never be able to experience any of this if it were not for my parents allowing me to study abroad. In the end I have learned many things and seen much in my short time on this earth. I owe everything I have done to my parents and thank them for the opportunity to be in Cape Town.

"40 More Minutes..." By: Matt Barlow

So far my experience in South Africa has been unreal from day one. Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and is never boring. I could write a novel about all we have done and seen, but I will try to shorten everything into five unforgettable memories for the sake of this costly internet.
1. Adventure week. Getting the chance to bungee jump, ride an
elephant, quad bike, go dolphin viewing, go on a safari and almost get
trampled by a herd of elephants, zip line through South African gorges,
get a “kiss” from an ostrich, and crawl through the Congo Caves all in
one week.
2. The scenery. There are countless amazing views around every
corner. Pictures cannot even describe what I am getting the chance to
experience personally.
3. Table Mountain. Hiking up the rigorous terrain in order to look
over all of Cape Town.
4. Robben Island. Getting the chance to meet Nelson Mandela’s cell
mate and absorb all that he had to say along with experiencing all the
history that Robben Island displays.
5. Service. My favorite part of the trip so far hands down. Going
to Sir Lowry’s Pass and living with a family there was truly humbling.
They showed me happiness is not in the form of materials, but in the
three most important things in life: faith, family, and friends.

"How Do you Truly Live Before Dying?" By: Lauren Howell

“How do you truly live before you die?” I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this question. Jumping off the highest commercial bungee in the world last week prompted the answer “Face Fear” (though I was too cheap to buy the t-shirt), while living off of a dollar and sleeping in the township yesterday prompted the answer “Reach Out.” Already, I feel like I’ve found lots of ways to “truly live” here in South Africa—whether it’s been taking a not-so-wild ride on a sleepy elephant or an exhilarating zip-line over Tstisikamma Falls, in nine short days this trip has transported me far and away from my normal comfort zone. And I’m not just talking about Adventure Week, either—coming into this experience only knowing four people amidst over a hundred Georgia Bulldogs was really intimidating at first! It’s becoming increasingly clearer to me that foreign experiences like these are what really allow you to grow as a person and experience life to the fullest.

In the township last night, I had the opportunity to stay with a family where one of the daughters was my own age. We talked for a while, and actually had a lot in common—but unlike me, after high school she had to go straight to work to help support her family. While the reality is that 98% of the world doesn’t get a chance to obtain a higher education, most of us on this trip can’t imagine not having college as an option. Spending the evening with someone my own age and talking to her about her responsibilities at work, as well as her dreams for the future, was a blatant reminder of how lucky I am to feel like I have so many options for the future.

What I took away from spending the night in Lowry’s Pass last night was a profound sense of gratitude—for everything I haven’t had to think twice about growing up (food, shelter, clothing), for a solid family support system, and for the boundless opportunities I’ve been handed, no questions asked, since day one. The families living in the township are often forced to ignore these needs and possibilities and worry about mere survival—something I certainly take for granted when I claim I’m “starving” in between meals or have “nothing to wear” in my closet. The fact that the families I met were constantly laughing, playing in the street together, and sharing what little they do have not only made me appreciate my blessings, but also shed light on how prioritizing relationships with family, friends, and the occasional stranger can make life so much sweeter.

"What Candy Jade Portia brought to the table…" By: Kylie Droke

Candy Jade Portia did not know what she was getting herself into at 5AM on the first day of a day 5 long Adventure Week. She was bombarded with 12 “Wild of the Wild” college kids on a study abroad program and pioneered by a hunk of a man tour guide named Cristo. She led the way through the winding roads of Africa during all times of day, withstanding all types of weather. Her precious carpeted skin got a little dirty from fish guts from sharkcage diving, elephant gunk from riding Jabia, dew from ziplining through African waterfalls and terrain, rock minerals from caving, dirt and dust from ATVing, and last but not least: sweat from bungee jumping. The thing I appreciate the most about Candy Jade Portia is the amount of memories she gave me that I will take away for a lifetime. At first, I was upset that I was going on Adventure Week right off the bat. Now, I thank the Lord I did because I experienced one of the best weeks of my life. It was amazing to see the transformation of the group as the week went on. It went from barely knowing each other and fear in our eyes during our first couple of adventure week experiences to a group harmony, pushing each other through, unified by spirit, motivation, and love. I was the first to go out of a group of 30 for bungee jumping. Talk about truly testing yourself, your composure, and the risk you are taking for the life you have been given and how easily it could be stripped away from you. My group was behind me, motivating me, and encouraging me to not turn back. I would have done it either way but it was because of those bonding moments in Candy Jade Portia that made me realize how much I loved these people and how much I did not want to let them or myself down. The memories I made during Adventure Week will forever be in my heart. Keep Truckin’ Candy…