As the Senior Writing Consultant at Carleton’s Writing Centre, I had the opportunity to travel with Katie Bryant (Writing Coordinator and former MA student in SLaLS) for a weeklong trip in Botswana in August to participate in the process of building a partnership with Carleton University, Michigan State University, Mangosuthu University (MU, South Africa), and Botswana Open University (BOU, Botswana). As recipients of an exploratory grant from the Alliance for African Partnerships through MSU, the purpose of this trip was to facilitate the preliminary research and discussions about capacity building for research and writing support at MU and BOU. This partnership will facilitate the development and implementation of evidence-based theory of writing (praxis) at MU and BOU, and address the global research rate disparities between universities in the global North and South through continued collaboration in research, workshops, and potential grad student exchanges.
It wasn’t all work and no play, though! We were fortunate enough to do a Game Drive and Braai (African BBQ) at Mokolodi Nature Reserve where we spotted giraffes, rhinos, ostriches, zebras, and more. We also got to try a few variations of Pinotage (a velvety red wine indigenous to South Africa), and have rooftop dinner at Masa Sunset Lounge after an informal tour around the city. It was an experience I’ll never forget!
Top row, left to right: Kabelo Sole (BOU), Katie Bryant (CU), Rachel Robinson (MSU), Codie Fortin Lalonde (CU), Godson Gatsha (BOU), Trixie Long Smith (MSU), Buyi Makhanya (MU), Bottom row, left to right: Hloniphani Ndebele (MU), Changu Batisani (BOU)
