REFLECTIONS

What we have learnt during this course

The Big 5 DS.mp4

Tauhira

Upon hearing about this project, I jumped at the chance to be a part of it. When being chosen, I was beyond excited. After experiencing the online module, I was able to understand a little more about the aims and objectives this course offers and as the two week practical began, my interest grew.

The best part about this course was getting to meet various individuals from different countries. Although our languages, backgrounds, knowledge and personalities differed, the difference in these fields is what made the experience worthwhile because of the unfamiliar perspectives that brought about numerous curiosities. Learning from others has opened up a new avenue for future innovations and creativity as I have attained a broader view on the world with regards to the knowledge that I have received. I enjoyed interacting and sharing ideas with everyone. Coming together as a team has made things entertaining and created an environment of endless possibilities.

Having this project as an extra-curricular, the workload of my actual degree plus this course has made the past few months a bit challenging. There were many stressful days, but I also got to enjoy the new change. Although at times things were tough, I have managed to get this far and I am proud that I overcame the challenges that I had faced in the past.

The experiences at schools was insightful as I came across new information and knowledge regarding the current state of South African schools and a few ways on how to make a difference in the lives of the learners. Hearing the opinions and ideas from everyone at the course has improved my sense of creativity as learning from others has helped me progress in creating solutions to problems that I couldn’t figure out on my own. It was amazing to be surrounded by learners who are so happy to be involved with us. The smiles, hugs, laughter and love is what makes the job we do somewhat less of a job and more of a fun experience. I love to reiterate the sentence 'with effort comes the ability to achieve'. Everyone in this course has shown their capabilities and determination to succeed and that shows their strengths which delivers inspiration to those around them. I definitely received plenty of motivation from my fellow CASO peers and not only did it enlighten me in various areas, but it has also shown me how driven and passionate these people are about making a difference in the world. The fact that I can deeply relate to that brings about further motivation to never give up, never say you cannot do anything, never lose hope, and to never back down.

This course takes you on a journey through knowledge, into schools with hopeful action of a united body comprising of various individuals around the world. Trust the process.

xoxo

Carmen

Three weeks ago I arrived in South Africa, my first culture shock was definitely the weather, I went from snow to thirty degrees. Since I’ve been in South Africa before the landscape is something I was already used to see. Something I will never get used to seeing is the visible difference between rich and poor. Riding into one street with good quality houses and at the end of the street ending in a township, self-made houses, people looking for food in the bins, asking for food or trying to find work.

When I applied for this project I wasn’t entirely sure what I was looking for. I knew I wanted a change, I was looking for something different, a challenge, something where I can help others and especially something where I can learn a lot from others to improve my knowledge and personal growth.

After this two weeks of intensive program I think I have found what I was hoping for. Through this project, CASO gives me the opportunity to help professionals and children in the community, and while working I’ve learned and already gained invaluable experience from them. As we’re working with different disciplines, and students and coaches from different countries we get to hear many different insights. Knowledge not only about one aspect, but many such as learning about culture, politics, history, communication, school systems, Physical Education, diseases, effects of being physical active and also a lot about ourselves.

All these topics passed through the two weeks, but one thing I’ve really learned is the importance of physical education. In the Netherlands I’ve coached and trained children of all ages and taught them the physical importance of physical education for their health. Being in South Africa participating in the CASO program is a real eye opener for me, it shows that you can do so much more through physical education. As we all know physical education helps improve physical and mental health and wellbeing, but it can be used for much more. You can use Physical education to bring joy to the children but also to fight the social issues. You can teach children life lessons in a fun and active way, games can be created with the main aim for the children to learn more about recycling or bacteria or teamwork. This way children will learn whilst playing a game.

I’m grateful that I got the opportunity to experiencing all of this, and to be part of this group of diverse strong individuals and most of all loving people. ‘’Yesterday I was clever and wanted to change the world. Today I’m wise and I want to change myself.’’ A quote given to us through the intensive program, this to me was a special quote which made quite an impression. It shows me that being proud of yourself, confident in what you do and self-esteem are very important. In the past few days this amazing group of people around me showed me more about myself, in a few days it really feels like I’ve learned so much from them, and the best part is that this project only just started and I will still have another few months to go. Help others to be confidence, if you help others with building their confidence this will eventually benefit you as well. That is what this group did, helping me build on my own confidence and visa versa. A small but strong example, when someone gives you a complement, just say thank you.

Thank you!

Jana

Reflection CASO.docx

Miira

I arrived in Cape town about two weeks ago. I have seen the diversity of Cape town. It feels wrong that everybody doesn’t have the same opportunity to life and success than for example people who lives in Finland. I feel honoured to be a part of bringing something good to the kid´s life.

After these two weeks I have learnt a lot. I am way more comfortable to speak English and I have learnt so much new words. I have met a most amazing people. Working in groups was a lot of fun. Somehow I feel like I have grown as a human in these weeks. And also as a nurse I have grown, I have learnt more about physical activity and communication. I can appreciate more what I have and I learnt to be a little bit more proud of myself and my goals that I have reached.

I am not so afraid to speak English even though I cannot speak it fluently and I don’t know all the words. Sometimes I felt kind of devastated because I didn’t understand everything what people said to me and I had to ask them replay sentences many times. South African accent was kind of hard to understand but I learnt that step by step. And biggest reason for that is the people around me. They have supported me the way I needed. Not only by words, but also by their actions.

It was nice to see many different universities and meeting all these teachers. South African students were so helpful by these two weeks. I feel like we have a special bond with each other. I liked that most of the lessons were at the same class room. I hope that all the main information of the intensive weeks would have been said before so some of stuff would not came as a surprise. I also hoped that we would have a change to test the games in real life before going to schools.

I can say that I have enjoyed every second in here even though I have felt mentally tired time to time because of the all new information and different language. I feel like all these information has not registered in my brain yet but by time I can actually use that in future and this CASO program.

I really enjoyed teaching the physical education to the kids. Kids are so real and kind. They have so much energy which is enviable. I feel like they learnt something of it at least the main aim which was teamwork. I actually feel really honoured for having the chance to be here. I feel like the knowledge that I have gained here can last forever. I also feel like I can be more natural with kids now.

Elgimine

The past two weeks were the most amazing time in my life, ever. Doing the online module for this course did not give me that much excitement compared to these two weeks.

I met the most loving, kind-hearted and enthusiastic people from Finland, Belgium and the Nederland’s. Each student came with different personalities and had their own discipline. What is so outstanding for me is the fact that us, South African students, automatically clicked with our colleagues from aboard. They are really wonderful people. I learned so much from their culture and their countries and really got to know them a bit. It is quite sad to say goodbye.

This project gave me the opportunity to build on my dream as a prospective educator. It gave me an opportunity to expand my network system with my fellow colleagues. As a life orientation educator, this course tremendously contributed to my career. Physical Education is quite neglected in schools. This is mainly because of the misconceptions teachers and children have of Physical Education which I, at first, also believed. Physical Education is more than just playing all sorts of games and running around doing exercises. It is also very much about having fun and learning something. A life lesson, responsible citizenship and self-development are some of the important aspects of Physical Activity that were learned in the pilot’s and during this course. I learned the importance of Physical Activity and how I can incorporate it in practice.

Working in groups these two weeks was fun. I worked with people from Finland, Belgium and the Nederland’s as well as South Africa. They were four amazing talented young ladies. We worked hard as a team to bring positive change into the learners’ lives, using Physical Education/Activity. Myself and my team were great. We respected each other and learned from one another. These past few weeks I learned teamwork, dedication and hard work, working as a team to make a difference.

The CASO project gave me great joy and I had a lot of fun. This project also helped me to build self-confidence and made me feel valued for my contribution to society.

The Big 5

WITH EFFORT COMES THE ABILITY TO ACHIEVE!

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