The Superhumans of CGE

So throughout my trip I’ve blogged about the places we go, museums and historical sights we get to visit, and all the speakers we hear from, but I realized I never really talk about the biggest reason this program is so wonderful—the Center for Global Education staff!  The people that work at this school have made this an incredible trip for me and the other students.  They have served as mentors, stand-in parents, and friends to all of us. Not only do I learn so much from them, but they continue to brighten my day whenever I see one of them.  I’m not sure how you find people like the one’s CGE has hired, but I thought it was time I introduced you to them so you can get to know the wonderful people I am spending my semester with.

Passat and Romanus

First let’s talk about how we get to all these awesome places.  Passat has been the nick name given to the superhuman that drives us to all of our internships, homestays and trips around Namibia.  He is even driving 16 hours to Cape Town (while we fly) so that we can get around while there.  Nothing keeps Passat from getting to our destination—whether it’s blown tires, closed roads, or wildlife.  While in the car, he’s always singing along to either 90s RnB or some traditional music that has really grown on us.  I have even caught him hands in the air belting out a lyric when most of us are asleep.   I have to say that some of my favorite moments are just driving in the van. He is also the handy man around our house and can fix everything. I also realized, after hearing him speak to different staff members, people in the north, and our rural homestay families that he knows six different languages.  In general he just knows so much and shakes his head and giggles at us when we don’t listen to him.

Next, our professors.  I don’t get to interact with Romanus, the history professor, but he’s definitely loved by the students.  One student said, “If we gave out superlatives for the staff, he would be named coolest.”  We got to attend his wedding early in the semester and from being with him in Swakopmund, I can tell he’s a laid back guy with a great sense of humor.  Everyone in the house raves about the history class and I’m a little regretful that I didn’t take it, however, what I took in place of that class has made it worth it.  Instead of taking one of the classes offered here at CGE, I decided on an independent study and my advisor, Nespect, has been absolutely incredible to work with.  He is the travel seminar and internship coordinator also, so we get to spend time with him in class and also for our first week in Johannesburg.  Nespect is always enthusiastic and my favorite thing is that he always greets us with, “Hello Friends!”

Last of the professors, is our development and yoga professor.  Students say this countless times and I really think it’s the only  to describe her, “Linda is Awesome.”  For me she has not only been a fantastic professor who makes me think critically and challenges me to look at the many sides of development issues, but she has also been a great role model.  Instead of rambling about great things she has taught me, I will just share her cheesy but meaningful conclusion of our development class that made me hopeful instead of cynical—she shared with us that, to her, development boils down to love.  We need love one another, love people on the other side of the world that we maybe don’t know, and love them more than our material possessions.  More importantly, she pointed out that love isn’t this passive, wimpy thing that many think of, but one of the most powerful tools in the world.  Its statements like these that make me admire her and hope that throughout my career I can keep the same passion and optimism.

Sara and I

Evolyn and Janobe are cooks in our house and I honestly don’t how I will eat after this, because they make such delicious meals, with freshly baked bread, and incredible desserts—it’s no wonder all of our shorts are a little tighter.  I am always amazed at how creative they are and how they do such a great job at planning.  We have never once had the same meal and they’ve adapted to all our weird dietary requests.  They’re even been cooking without an oven for the past two months.  Talk about incredible!

Lastly, Sara, she is one of the cooks at the house, but she also coordinates our homestays and she traveled to Khorixas with us, which was really great because she’s from this area.  We got to visit the high school she graduated from and she knew so much about the people in this area.  It always puts a smile on my face to see Sara—she is always bubbly and enthusiastic and it just isn’t possible to be unhappy if you’re around her

The staff overall genuinely cares about the students on this trip.  We’re often impressed with how much time they invest in getting to know us and finding out how we are daily.  I admire that they value education so much and that they go out of their way (undoubtedly more than we know) to make sure students have the most incredible experience.   It’s  going to be really hard to leave all the incredible people here, but I am so excited for the next group of students to spend an awesome four months with them!

To get a tour of the house and introductions to everyone, check out this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUa8QgBHkP0