Teach, travel and inspire

Since its inception in 2006, Warwick in Africa has seen resounding and often unexpected success. From humble beginnings working in a single school in Stellenbosch, South Africa, the programme has grown to encompass over twenty schools in three countries, reaching over 210,000 students. Organised by the University and financed in part by private sector partnerships along with Philanthropic funding, Warwick in Africa sends undergraduate, postgraduate and PGCE students from all years and disciplines to teach either maths or English in underprivileged schools across Tanzania, Ghana and South Africa, for 4-6 weeks each summer.

I was lucky enough to participate in 2012, spending the summer working in Phefeni Senior Secondary School in Soweto, Johannesburg. My students ranged from 16 to 26 years old, from Grade 10 to 12. Needless to say, the experience was intimidating to begin with. Over the first couple of weeks I tried hard to get to know them, to make it clear that I was there both to teach and to learn. It certainly wasn’t easy, but the effort paid off. Some of my students were truly exceptional, working under tremendously difficult circumstances to learn as much as possible over the six weeks, while surrounded by drug abuse, high crime rates, rampant HIV/AIDS and chronic material deprivation.

Teaching is a demanding calling, but can be unbelievably rewarding. I am still in contact with several Phefeni students, some of whom have successfully gone into higher education – a privilege shared by very few. For students growing up in the heart of Johannesburg, being taught by someone approximately the same age as them, from a far-away country, can provide the spark of inspiration that makes all the difference. If a Warwick in Africa teacher can help just one student realise their educational goals, the effort has been worth it.

Teaching in a foreign country under such circumstances is a tremendous opportunity for you to mature as a person

It’s a two way street. On the one hand, it’s possible to impart the knowledge and experience which we are extremely privileged to have to those who want and need it most. At the same time, teaching in a foreign country under such circumstances is a tremendous opportunity for you to mature as a person. You will probably learn more from your students than you could ever teach them. You will inspire them, and they will inspire you. I have nothing but admiration and deep respect for many of my old students, many of whom were much better at maths than I was, never mind their accomplishments in the face of real adversity.

Being in South Africa was an enormous privilege for me personally; I have taken an interest in its history under Apartheid rule for some time. Working in a school directly opposite Mandela’s old house (the school was on the same site, in fact, where the 1976 student riots started) was an incredible experience. We visited the constitutional court and the Apartheid museum, and went to the cemetery where Walter Sisulu was buried, and went to watch the Orlando Pirates play the Kaiser Chiefs in the Carling Cup final. I even learnt some rudimentary Zulu and Xhosa. Anyone remotely interested in African politics and development will be profoundly enriched by working there.

But there is always more work to be done. Millions of schoolchildren and thousands of teachers are in desperate need of ongoing support. Applications for the Warwick in Africa 2015 cohort are open until midnight on 8th January, so there’s still time to give yourself the chance to do something completely unique and inspirational. Of course, Warwick in Africa is also a fantastic way to develop skills and experience applicable to the workplace – perseverance, adaptability, resourcefulness and leadership to name a few – so you’ll stand out from the crowd in the job market as well. But the programme is so much more than a CV-booster. It allows you to travel and see things you’ll never have seen before! It will change your life – and hundreds of others – for the better.

For details how to apply check the link below:

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/giving/priority/responsibility/wina/getinvolved/students/

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Header image courtesy of Warwick in Africa