Common Day of Learning

Today was Common Day of Learning at APU which means that all classes are cancelled and, instead, seminars are put on during the day that students have the option to go to. There were SO many to choose from. I could barely decide where I wanted to go because so many looked so interesting! I finally decided to go to one called "HIV, Sustainability, Sexuality and Adventure: Lessons Learned in South Africa." It was incredible. I got insight from four students who went on APU's South Africa semester, on the topics of apartheid, women, and children in that country. The images were almost unbearable, and the facts they presented were unbelievably sad and disheartening. 

- 1 in 5 people in South Africa have HIV, and rape is extremely prevalent in this country. Because of this, most rape victims end up with the life long illness. 

-40-60% of South Africans are unemployed at any given time. For this reason, many women enter into abusive relationships with men who can provide money and food for their children. 

-25% of pregnant South African women are HIV positive.

-Of the children born with HIV, 40% of them will not see the age of 5

That is just a portion of what I learned today. It was so evident that the students presenting had truly been life changed. The seminar really inspired me to do the South Africa semester...maybe spring semester of next year? We'll see what God has planned.

The second seminar I went to was called "Successful Teaching: Four Perspectives." This seminar had four students present on different methods of teaching. I really liked the one that focused on kinesthetic teaching, such as teaching students through a song and dance, or having them go to stations, etc. Just anything that gets them moving! I hope to teach at some point and incorporate what I learned today. I'm really hoping to do Teach for America. It would be such a great experience. Waddup Phoenix, Arizona?!