It has been just over a month since Daniel (the other York intern I work with at Sci-Bono) and I got to Johannesburg, and it has been difficult to sit down and write because there has just been too much to do around here.
A few days after arriving we started work at Sci-Bono and initially it was quite overwhelming, because the centre is very big and there are many people working here. The first 2 days different people took us around and gave us tours of the building and introduced us to everyone. At that moment it all seemed like a blur and I thought I would never find my way around or be able to remember anyone’s name! Within a week I knew exactly where I was going and was getting used to everyone around – it is not hard to remember people when they are so genuinely nice and greet you politely every time you see them. Everyone here has been very welcoming so going to work has been an absolute pleasure and I look forward to going every day, which is something I have not felt in quite some time. Getting to know people here has been wonderful and I know I will keep in touch with them even after I leave beautiful SA.
Working at the centre has been really fun because I have had the opportunity to work in different ‘departments’, so I have met a lot of people and gotten to see the dynamic of each group. Thus far I have had the chance to help out with doing the daily stats (keeping track of the school groups coming in/out of the centre and the communicators they are with), worked with the outreach team (who go out to different schools each day to teach math and science), partaken in provincial events (i.e. Minquiz – a science competition for grade 12 students), and currently I am working in the workshop where all of the exhibits are made.
Although we are fairly busy at work, we try to go out on the weekends as much as possible. We are fortunate enough to have co-workers and some family friends here who have taken it upon themselves to take us out and show us some of the beautiful places around here. Even though I don’t think that photos or words can really capture the incredible feeling of being here, here are a few of my favourite pictures of some of the places we have been thus far …
the FNB Stadium (aka Soccer City)
Nelson Mandela's house in Soweto
the Voortrekker Monument
the Union Building in Pretoria
a horse ranch in the North West Province
the Westcliff Hotel
having rooisbos tea at the Polo Lounge at the Westcliff Hotel
one of many beautiful sunsets in SA
the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre
part of the outreach team
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