TAMUK South Africa Program 2022

 During our safari weekend stay at Aquila, we experienced a different side to the reserve, beyond the animals. Across the road from the main facilities, Aquila has an Eco Center. We went on a tour of the center, which primarily featured gardens, plants, bees, and fish raised there. A lot of the food served in Aquila is harvested from the gardens at the center. To keep everything flourishing, the Eco Center develops and uses its own composted fertilizer sources, which includes the beneficial usage of special worms.  Our guide was very passionate about his own and the Eco Center's work. Observing the center's commitment to promoting a sustainable development ethic served as a practical window for us to learn about how economic activities can be conducted without negative impacts on the environment. Seeing that the food we ate came from right across the road was very satisfying It brought nature closer to us in a unique way! Lauren B 07/17/2022

 This afternoon, we observed three elephants eating their dinner. In the distance, an ostrich and two springboks crept on them from behind to get in on the action. Slowly the rest of the ostriches followed in search of food. Then, we were lucky enough to see the hippos out and about in the sunlight! A sunburn can be fatal for a hippo, which is why they secrete oils from their skin that acts as a natural sunscreen. We learned that hippos can run up to 35 kilometers an hour and are some of the most dangerous animals in Africa. We saw buffalo, rhinos, and springbok again. We made our way to visit the lions. The two males were resting at the base of the mountain. We did not see the female because she had already made her way up the mountain for the night. At the end of our safari, we watched the sunset and had refreshments and snacks, The baboons waved us goodbye for the evening and we ventured back to the lodge.  Madeleine S 07/16/2022

Today Brissa and I went on a horseback safari at Aquila Game Reserve, which was our first time riding horses! Yes, we finally became "Texans" in Africa! This safari provided a unique experience with a close view of the animals and surrounding landscape. The horses that took us along the safari were named Blondie and Madeline. They both had very bold and spirited personalities! Just after this picture was taken, Madeline led the way to the zebra's food and Blondie followed. When the zebras were scared away, the horses decided to have their own little snack. These beautiful horses made our experience even more exciting with their adventurous nature! During our ride, we found a springbok skull carcass, which was likely attacked by surprise from the mountain. The springbok is South Africa's national animal. An interesting fact that we learned from our guide was that the lines on a springbok's horns indicate their age! Our horseback safari ride is an experience I will ...

 On Saturday, our group went out on a morning safari at 8:00 a.m. Since it was very early, most of the animals were just beginning to wake up. In a small lake, we saw hippos huddled and submerged underwater to keep warm. Luckily, the lions were basking in the sun so we got to see all three! The lioness was on her back with her feet up like a house cat.  There were also many zebras and rhinos, including a baby rhino. Our guide told us that the rhinos' horns were removed because of poaching concerns in the area.  Then on our way back, we saw three elephants and one came up and touched me! The experience was unlike a zoo t hat I have ever been to. I felt like we experienced Africa the way it is meant to be experienced! Rylan E 07/16/2022

We visited the Aquila Game Reserve to view the iconic "Big 5" animals of Africa. However, Aquila also offered a unique opportunity to go on a "safari of the sky." The views of the night sky from parts of Africa are legendarily spectacular. Aquila's location made such a viewing possible, and they even made an expert in astronomy available to take us through a celestial safari.  We did that! We learned that "aquila" is a constellation of stars creating an eagle. The Eagle has a give and take relationship with nature, never taking more than needed. As a student from America, we have the perspective of the outside looking in. We watch nature closely thinking we are solving our problems, but our relationships with the Earth is that we take more than needed.  Here in Aquila, we could identify with the Eagle flying above becoming one with the Earth. As Eagles, we are equals with animals, trees, and mountains. Being surrounded by the immensity of the African l...

 Today we attended a lecture by Stellenbosch University Professor, Dr. Johnathon Jansen, about what is taught in South African universities. He led an interactive discussion about the curriculum taught in South Africa and how this can impact students' ideology and actions. He noted the key differences between disciplinary and institutional curricula, specifically that disciplines cover relatively similar content around the world, while institutional is based on the value systems of the specific area.  Professor Jansen provided very recent examples of how institutional curriculum can lead to racist actions in South Africa. Although current university students were not alive during apartheid, there are influences around them that pass on the ideology, including family, schooling, the church, and more. The examples given by Professor Jansen greatly reflect the events seen in the United States, both in the past and currently. This reflection allowed us to make the connection that ...

Today we visited the Stellenbosch Village Museum. This museum has four houses of historical interest and gardens. Each of these beautiful homes represents a different time period in the architectural development of Stellenbosch. The houses, their interiors and their gardens have been restored, furnished, planted and decorated to illustrate the particular style and taste of time. Below is some information on each of the houses in the museum complex.  Schreuderhuis (1680-1720) This is the first home at the museum and was built in 1709. The home survived the first great fire in Stellenbosch due to it having a clay interior roofing, causing the house to bake but not get totally destroyed. This made the restoration possible. Blettermanhuis (1750-1790) This is the second home at the museum. It was built in 1789 by Hendrik Lodewyk Bletterman, who was the last landdrost  (magistrate) of Stellenbosch to be appointed by the Dutch East India Company. Grosvenor House (1800-1830) This is t...