3….2….1

Countdown is over. Even as I type that I still can't quite believe it. I've been thinking about and planning for this trip since before I even got accepted onto the Masters program at UNCW, while I was still an undergrad student at the University of Edinburgh. Despite that I can't believe it, "it" is finally here. Tomorrow is our last day stateside before we arrive in Belize on Wednesday March 26th. Though I have travelled, lived, and even taught abroad (many times) before, I still have 43456098 things running through my head. Let's go back a few days….

In the last 48 hours I have finished my internship, said goodbye to my amazing school, partnership teacher, fellow interns, and most of all students in Wilmington, said goodbye to my friends, attended a horse show for the US Equine Rescue League, packed up my apartment, including my dog, attended a pre departure meeting, visited school to grade two last assignments/say final goodbyes,  said goodbye to the best arabian pony ever,  and moved everything (+ very confused dog) back to Chapel Hill. PHEW. Now I have to unpack/reorganize and repack for BELIZE! I can't wait to breathe that big sigh of relief Dr. K talked about when we arrive at Pedro's Hostel, which will be our home for most of the time we are in Belize.

The last time I  taught abroad was at ACJ Pakade (we never did learn what the ACJ stood for, though we asked) Primary School in Nomzamo Township, Cape Town, South Africa. I lived in Gordon's Bay, a small beach town just a few miles from the township. Then I interned near the beach in Wilmington. Is it just me, or is a pattern emerging here?  I've been thinking a lot about how my experience teaching in South Africa will compare to the one I'm about to have in Belize, and I will definitely report back on my findings in later blog posts. I'll leave you with some pictures, because after all, they do say a thousand words…

The Middle School I interned at in Wilmington, NC

ACJ Pakade Primary school in Nomzamo Township, South Africa 

We'll see what comes next!