ANNUAL MAGAZINE - Dominican Convent School

visitors
I came to South Africa 15 months ago to work for the Kgosi
Foundation, and have loved being able to become so involved
with both the Primary School and High School at Dominican,
both in the classroom and in the Boarding House. Coaching the
girls’ basketball teams was something I never expected to be
able to do here, but I have found so much joy in it and the girls
and I had a blast. I have learned so much about South Africa and
have made so many wonderful friendships with both students
and staff. I return to the United States at the end of this year to
pursue a Masters Degree in Law. My work at KNF with the local
community has helped prepare me for a career in immigration
and international refugee law. But being well-prepared will
not make it any easier to leave South Africa. A big thanks to
Dominican for a wonderful 15 months. I will miss you all
very much!
Rebecca Christensen with Mike Thiel
DC S FAMILY
Lauren Tonon
Larissa Szecsey
and Miriam
Ssebunnya
Exchange
Lifestyles for
a While
Lauren Tonon
Miriam Ssebunnya and Larissa Szecsey
VISITORS: Michael Savage, Brandon Keelan and Colin Campbell
sport
“Wait, aren’t we on the wrong side of the road?”
This sentence was uttered by Larissa Szecsey
as Christine (my sister) and I escorted her to
Dominican from the airport, courtesy of
school transport.
Larissa’s first day in South Africa was spent at the Johannesburg
Sports Stadium, where the Inter-House Athletics Competition
took place. It ended with a braai hosted by the new boys’
boarding houses, which could conveniently be considered as her
“welcoming party”. Ironically, the party was for the departure
of the two Notre Dame interns, Michael Savage and Colin
Campbell, and Larissa was quite fortunate to meet them.
Having a German exchange student mirror you for six weeks is
an eye-opening experience, and makes you view the world from
a completely opposite angle. Larissa spent a good two weeks at
Dominican, and stayed with me in the Boarding House as well.
She was very open to the obvious lifestyle change, including the
differences in her surroundings, the languages spoken and, as
expected, the weather! She loved seeing the sun daily and would
constantly repeat: “I am going back to Germany with a tan!”
After her two weeks in South Africa she headed off to Botswana
with me for the holidays. The excitement in my home was
evident as we openly invited Lara (as she came to be known) to
live with us.
During her stay, Lara got a chance to tour Kruger National
Park for nine days with the other German exchange students.
She came back, having made new friends. After her Kruger
experience, Lara spent just a week with me before permanently
returning to Germany. On 3 September I uttered the word I’d
been dreading to say: “Goodbye.” She told me: “Don’t worry, I’ll see
you again. It won’t be long, it just seems long.” And with that she left
for the plane, having celebrated her first birthday in Africa.
Hosting Larissa has opened my eyes to the reality of us all living
in a global village. I am really grateful to Rotary International
for allowing me to participate in this special programme. Lara
has definitely made a lot of ties here in Africa, and her number of
Facebook friends has definitely increased as well! I am thankful
to have learnt from her tolerance, acceptance and the beauty of
friendship. I look forward to visiting Lara and her family and her
country in December.
Miriam Ssebunnya
Gr 11k
DCS
SPORT
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