In the Summer of 2017, Pasadena City College launched its inaugural Study abroad trip to Cape Town, South Africa. It was an immersive experience for the group as we visited national museums, received tours of the national archives, visited townships and lived in the Observatory District of the city.
Curriculum for the trip centered on two courses: History 27b: Modern African History, and History 29b: African American History 1865 – present, with two weeks of course meetings in Pasadena followed by a month in Africa. Once in country, students were empowered to explore lines of inquiry based upon the readings, the local environment and excursions which included a trip to Robben Island (46664, Number assigned to Nelson Mandela while incarcerated).
The images and ephemera in the room represent just a portion of the shifts in lens and perspective on the world that the trip offered to all participants. Themes of Empowerment for Marginalized Communities, Institutional Racial Structures, Empowerment of Women and Change through Education resonated for many of the students during their study abroad experience.
Study Abroad can transform the way you see yourself and your relationship to the world... it's in your hands.
