I began my internship last week Wednesday, yes – with many preconceived ideas of what life in the working world of D.C would really be like. I have already experienced a little taster, with the bustling of power suits on the metro (complimented by sneakers/flip-flops to avoid damage to the high heels), to the edgy and caffeinated chit-chat in Starbucks. I have also observed the actual sprinting of Americans up and down the escalators. And wow if you are caught walking on the wrong side, well then…good luck to you. But I do believe I may have mastered the art of the escalator sprint. (Especially the radical escalator of Bethesda, which I am sure the SAWIPers know where I am referring to!)
 
On Wednesday morning, I made my way to the office for the commencement of my first day at work.  It was slightly daunting, but thrilling at the same time.  I was introduced to a group of self-motivated and energetic people.  
 
These men don’t mess around, they are hard-working and determined, but I was grateful for their accommodating of the “new intern from South Africa”, they were eager to show me the leisure lounge which includes couches, books and…a fooze ball table! Not that there is much down time in the office for that! 
 
My first day kicked off to an electric buzz in the building, as the road outside my office had been closed off for the arrival of Obama in the building next door. From my window I viewed the U.S. President drive up with his procession of cars. 
 
The internship is teaching me much about the value of e-commerce in the States, and the need for greater securitization of online transactions. I have also had the opportunity to look into the South African development of e-commerce and have been focusing on projects involving online market sizing and finding a new perspective on e-commerce in South Africa.
 
So another week down, so much to learn still, so much to experience, so little time! All very electrifying.

We finally arrived in D.C, laden with laptops, pressed suits and John Carlin reading essentials. After 23 hours of travel and jet-lag enervation, we were hit by the wave of Washington humidity and the ferocity of our first D.C mosquito bites.
 
We then split from the nurturing SAWIP team and were dispersed to our allocated host families. I must admit that after having sat elbow-to-elbow with Thami for the length of the journey, I felt a tad bit of separation anxietyJ.  It was only after being met by my host mother and driving up to Capital Hill that it began to dawn on me that we were really here. The anticipation and excitement over the past few months felt nothing in comparison to the exhilaration felt now. I knew immediately that this experience would be indelibly imprinted.
 
Our SAWIP management team left no time to squander. And the very next day we were fully immersed into our leadership program, followed by a high ropes team building activity, and yes the ropes were high, incredibly high! We were met by the 31 Irish interns who we found to be exceptionally friendly, warm and engaging.
 
 
We have now been in DC for 8 days, and it has truly been the inspiring experience that I had hoped it to be. This program has exceeded my expectations in almost every possible way. I want to say an immense thank you to our dedicated and self-less management team (Jean and Thami), as well as Megan Farrel for allowing us the opportunity to be part of this D.C reality.
 
Just a note to myself: Ease up on the Starbucks coffee!

I experienced something wonderful today and I really wanted to share it. Today was my last day with my adult learners from the BLN (Business Learning Network), as my exams start this week and I am leaving for DC shortly. Our last lesson for this semester culminated in their first “test” daunting, yes. The majority of these students have never written a test of any kind before. I arrived at 9.45 am as usual, to see most of the students already sitting down and revising their notes before the test. It was incredible to see their determination and enthusiasm towards the course. Even some of the students who missed last week’s lesson (due to fetching their grants), still studied and wanted to write the test. One young girl got 100% for her test, she had dropped out of school a few years ago,  so I hope that this has given her encouragement to continue to study.
 
It was sad to say goodbye to these wonderful people, who I have got to know and share so many memorable moments with. At the end of class, a woman stood up and thanked me on behalf of the class, and they presented me with a handmade card, signed by all the students. It was something I will cherish and always remember. I brought platters of snacks and sandwiches after the lesson, which we shared over some chats and laughs at the end of class. 
 
As I left the metal container, from which we work each week, I felt sad, but happy that they will be in  very capable hands for the next 2 months, as Jean Fairhead, who manages the Izikoll Wazi Community Centre, will continue with  the literacy class until I return from America.
 
I have learnt so much from this experience; it is hard for me to really describe in words the feeling I have. There is so much potential in each and every one of us no matter what our age, and all it needs is to be tapped into.
 
I hope they realize the impact they too have left on me.

I have been working on a project for about 4 months now, and have just got it off the ground in the last 3 weeks. This has formed my SAWP community service component.  I have started an initiative that is a non-profit venture in Hout Bay, named the BLN (Business Learning Network) which is aimed at educating previously disadvantaged adults in the informal settlement of Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay. Many of which have never received a formal education.
It is aimed at working adults in my community who seek basic business skills and have a yearning to learn, in order to expand their career opportunities.  It provides practical hands-on experience in: Literacy, Entrepreneurship, Basic Book Keeping, Finances and Marketing.
So, I am into my third week of community service for SAWIP and now have a group of 17-20 adult learners. Things are slightly different to what I had anticipated! I have realized that not everything always goes according to plan and more than often you have to become completely flexible and adaptable to the classroom situation in order to adjust to people’s needs and interests! But none the less I am incredibly excited for all the lessons to follow, and am thoroughly enjoying getting to know my “students” (although I also feel like the student learning from what they have to teach me). I am working on putting this group through a First Aid Health course (as safety and health are one of the leading concerns in Imizamu Yethu), but I am still in the process of investigating funding.