Knowing that post graduation I would be in somewhat of a position of limbo before my career as an educator began, I decided to follow my dream of visiting the African continent. After a year of research, I finally found a program that seemed to fit my personality and needs in volunteering abroad; Connect-123. I was impressed with the communication throughout the process and the eagerness in having me become a part of their program. Melanie did a fantastic job placing me at ‘The Shine Centre’, a literacy based organization, teaching English to disadvantaged youth. Once I arrived, I realized I had extra time in my day and I wanted to do more – Melanie then put me in contact with ‘Home From Home’ which allowed me to spend time with six of the most remarkable children in the world! One cannot plan or anticipate everything that could happen in life – let alone some 7,000 miles away from home; however, the staff at Connect-123 in South Africa; Melanie, Kelly, Eimear, Mary, and Gabby all assisted in making Cape Town, South Africa a home away from home. Through various networking events and additional volunteering experiences, I became lifelong friends with individuals from around the globe – including some of the most inspirational and amazing people in South Africa! I quickly learned that a child’s smile speaks volumes to the perseverance, hope, love, and beauty of South Africa!