Hello from Africa!

Hello from Africa!
 Sorry it has taken so long to blog, but TIA (this is Africa) and internet is sparse. Life is good, lots of unexpected events, but good none the less. Stepping off the plane, I was welcomed by a cool refreshing breeze and the smell of the ocean! We stayed at a hotel, woke up, dropped off our things at Annie's Cove, had ten mins to pack, and were on our way to bush camp. Bush camp was crazy! A few things we did included- zip lining, canoeing, military crawling through mud, night hiking, and praying for our tents to not be washed away during the storms. All in all adventurous and exhausting with trying to recover from jet lag. I went swimming in the ocean yesterday! We saw dolphins and BEAUTIFUL landscape. This week is lots of orientation, figuring out the African system, and making friends. Things are so different here. Even obtaining electricity is strange. You have to go to a gas station, buy a card, then put it on your meter back at your place. Updates will be difficult because the nearest internet place is a 40 min. walk away and it isn't too safe to be walking around with a laptop. Annie's Cove, where I stay, is very cool with lots of small houses, filled with international students, and a pool in the middle. Everyone is amazingly friendly! Actually, I'm going surfing tomorrow with a guy I met at a rugby game. The campus is huge with monkeys just walking about. We are at an internet cafe now and will be here for a while since it is pouring out. Today we registered for classes and went on a campus tour. The campus is pretty and very big with a north and south campus. There is such a jungle/African feel to it with the trees and monkeys. I am really excited for my classes! One class is volunteering in a township. I will be working at an orphanage with children who have aids and/or have been abused by their parents and abandoned. It should be challenging for my heart but I can't wait to help. Hope everyone is enjoying the chilly weather, I'm sitting in a tank top and shorts now! I love you and miss you all! cheers!
                                                           love,
                                                                 Becca
p.s. most people call me Rebecca here because I guess Becca means "turn around."

2 days left in America!

        After the past few weeks of a whirl wind of events, I am left with this feeling of never having been more loved. Although I can't expound on every important and heartfelt detail to lead me to this conclusion, I can verify that I am the luckiest girl in the world. I have a family who gives me unconditional love and strength, friends whom I adore and are always able to put a smile on my face and heart, and a wonderful boyfriend who supports me and my decisions. After many loved ones left yesterday and I said my farewells, I was laying in bed feeling absolutely absurd for having any desire to leave them for 5 months. For I am the happiest I have ever been with no regrets for how I got here (but then again I do only have 19 years of life thus far, and every year has brought me more happiness). But alas, laying there knowing I would miss everyone every second I am gone I felt a sense of peace. It is thanks to all of you that I am able to take on this challenge (and I do love a good challenge) to explore a different part of the world and become diverse and cultured. It is recommended that I go with goals in mind. I would like to share a few of them with you. My main goal, although very ambiguous, is to define myself. I have always tried to do what is viewed socially as the "right thing." I want to determine my own moral compass and values; not just what is expected of me. Please don't take that the wrong way, I don't plan on it being altered greatly... just adapted to fit me perfectly. Another goal is to become more patient. From what I read South Africa is the place for this change to occur due to a laid back manner. I am a strong believer that there is always room for self improvement and I want to be constantly improving myself in hopes that I can improve the lives of those who I encounter. This trip will bring self improvement! Thank you, with the most sincerity I have, for your support. I couldn't be me without all of you. 
                               Love always,
                                       Becca 
my address :
Rebecca Serafini

c/o Monalisa Ndwayana

Office for International Education

NMMU Summerstrand Campus (South)

Gold Fields North Building

PO Box 77000

Port Elizabeth, 6031

South Africa

                                                                                        Jan. 15th, 2011
    Hello my dear family and friends! I am creating this blog to help inform and keep in contact with all of you! The idea is to share my experiences (well, a brief overview) and educate a little bit about South Africa and South African culture. I will begin my travel on Feb. 2nd, 2011 and return June 26th, 2011. Although what classes I am taking and who I am living with is still unknown, I am thrilled to start the adventure. I will be living in Port Elizabeth (PE). PE is the 5th largest city in South Africa and is often called the "Friendly City." Also, PE is known for being a major motor industry for South Africa. This is reassuring in the promise of civilization and modern accommodations. I will be studying at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University which was recently founded in 2005 and is the "largest higher education institution in the Eastern and Southern Cape areas." Actually, there are about 20,000 students, so I will have lots of opportunities to make friends! I hope this blog is insightful and that you follow along with my journey, any input/advice/suggestions is fantastic!
                                                              Yours truly,
                                                                        Becca