INTERNATIONAL students on the Semester Study Abroad programme got together recently to launch the second edition of the Visiting Students Journal in which they captured, in word, image and symbol, their experiences of South Africa.
Using prose, poetry, rap, journal extracts and photographs compiled during the first semester of this year, the students try to convey an 'outsider's' perspective of the country. At the launch, the various authors read extracts of their works to their appreciative peers.
According to Lara Hoffenberg of the International Academic Programmes Office (IAPO), the journal celebrates the initiative of the students – they design and publish the journal – and also highlights the value of studying at UCT.
"It's wonderful to see the influence of the study abroad experience on our international students," she says. "And the minibus taxi remains a source of creative inspiration for them," referring to the students' adventures in South Africa's transport of choice.
The first edition of the Visiting Students Journal appeared in November last year.