"I cannot wait to become a Matie."
This was the comment from Mikhaila Coerecius from Oudtshoorn High School after a week filled with activities to introduce her and 29 other prospective students, provisionally accepted in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Stellenbosch University, to campus life.
During the Arts and Social Sciences Winter Week (2-5 July) 30 top achievers from mostly the Western Cape, with some learners from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape attended information sessions presented by the Departments of History, Psychology, Law, Political Science, English, Modern Foreign Languages, Sociology and Education.
They also participated in a creative/lateral thinking workshop presented by the Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Leadership Institute (Lloyd Blake) and had the opportunity to speak to Helene Prinsloo, editor at Naledi Publishing House.
The group was taken off campus for a day of excitement including an interactive visit to the Democratic Alliance's national office, a visit to Seventeen magazine's offices, as well as a visit to the Young Blood Arts and Cultural Development Centre where they were welcomed by Marie Vogts, an SU Alumna, and treated to lunch. The matrics were taken on a guided tour of the gallery and heard Iranian artist Neda Tavallaee speak about her works on exhibition.
"The Winter Week is aimed at helping learners understand that there is indeed a future for those studying in the Arts and Social Sciences fields," says Ms Lovelyn Nwadeyi, organiser of the Winter Week and CPS Advisor. "There are good career prospects for those graduating with a BA/BEd or LLB degree."
On the final day of their visit (Friday 5 July), all the learners were awarded recruitment bursaries at a special awards and closing ceremony at Den Bosch Learning and Teaching Centre. This was kept a surprise until the last moment. The learners were also offered a place in residence. These bursaries are for the full duration (up to a maximum of four years), of their undergraduate studies.
The last word goes to a learner, Michaila Paulse: "This week was an unforgettable experience filled with laughter and many memories."
The learners who attended the Winter Week are: Lauren Hattingh, Lerissa Rooplalm Tshidi Green, Siphokazi Mbatani, tasneem padayachee, Prenola Naaidoo, Arlence Combrinck, Heidi Kroukamp, Keneatha Wanza, Micaela Paulse, Cody Cloete, Siyasanga Jonas, Lemeeze Davids, Nomxolisi Masango, Robyn Malan, Lorenzo van Wyk, Arno Schwarz, Ayesha Williams, Gretchen Jansen, Gabisile Shabangu, Izack Julies, Jenay Abrahams, Michaila Coerecius, Sikhulekile Duma, Lauren Jimmy and Leila Mansoor.
Photo: Justin Alberts
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