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Voices of ACES Blog

ACE Abroad

Charlie Mayfield

This past winter break, I had the experience of a lifetime as an ACES student studying abroad in Cape Town, South Africa. The study tour was full of service learning at an agricultural work site, tourism, and immersing ourselves into the culture. Our volunteer site was at a community garden. It is a township effort where certain members are allotted to individual plots where they can produce sustainable, organic foods. Locals are encouraged to get involved to feed their families and for expansion purposes. Areas we helped with start from the ground up with plot maintenance, soil fertility, and irrigation systems. Efficiency is a major aspect that was practiced in the township from water and energy use to equipment. They preferred hand use compared to power to save petrol and encourage employment creation. We also engaged in the marketing and handling of the products to the consumers. Besides all that we did to help the locals through agriculture, we had the opportunity to tour.

South Africa had so much to offer visitors. We enjoyed going on a safari, petting cheetahs, seeing penguins at the beach, hiking mountains, and seeing the townships! One of the most memorable parts was experiencing the culture while going to a braai in a township. I didn’t think that this trip would have had such an impact on my life. I’m thankful for the opportunities through the College of ACES that I was able to be apart of this. I encourage everyone to consider to study abroad, it is a worthwhile experience.