What went well?

My time in South Africa went by incredibly quickly. The sixth week was particularly memorable, as I finally completed the Abortion Advocacy & Action Toolkit. I'm very proud of the final product, which I designed using Canva to be as visually engaging and accessible as possible, with the goal of maximizing readership and impact. I'm also happy to share that my team was very impressed with the toolkit, especially its comprehensiveness. I had the opportunity to present it to the leadership of the Centre for Human Rights, including the Director, who expressed strong admiration and excitement about disseminating and officially launching the toolkit in August during the Centre’s Women’s Day Commemoration Event.

We also discussed the potential of hosting a conference in August focused on the legal status and current realities of abortion and SRHR advocacy efforts across African countries. Although my in-person placement with the Centre has ended, I will continue collaborating with them virtually on final edits leading up to the launch. It may not be my last time at the Centre, as my supervisor and the rest of the team expressed interest in bringing me back to present the toolkit at the August conference if the budget allows. I truly hope to return, as these past six weeks have been some of the most meaningful and rewarding of my life. In my final week, I said goodbye to my colleagues and the wonderful friends I made at the University of Pretoria, then boarded a flight to Cape Town for some sightseeing before heading home.

What could have been done differently?

I think this week went as smoothly as it ever has and reflected the culmination of everything I learned over the first five weeks. Since it was the final week, I approached it with a strong mindset of making the most of every moment. I tried to spend as much time as I could at the Centre, talking with my colleagues and being with friends. With the toolkit completed at the start of the week, I had plenty of time to attend meetings and engage socially.

What did I learn about myself when working with others?

I’ve come to truly appreciate the value of in-person collaboration and how significantly it can enhance the overall experience of working with others. Many of the internships and projects I’ve been involved in previously took place online, whichmwhile convenient, often lacked the spontaneity and depth of connection that come with face-to-face interactions. Being physically present with a team allows for more natural communication, quicker problem-solving, and a stronger sense of shared purpose. I realized that I thrive in environments where I can read people’s body language, engage in real-time discussions, and build rapport more organically.

What did I learn about leadership?

I learned that leadership is not about holding a position of power, but about the ability to listen, adapt, and support others toward a shared goal. A good leader builds trust within a team by being approachable, dependable, and open to feedback. I also realized that leadership requires clarity in communication and the courage to make difficult decisions when necessary. It is less about control and more about empowering others, creating a space where everyone feels valued and motivated to contribute. Most importantly, I learned that leadership is a continuous process of learning, introspection, self-awareness, and growth.

What do I want to develop or focus on next?

For the next few months, I will still be working with the Women’s Rights Unit to make the final edits, translate and launch the Abortion Advocacy & Action Toolkit. I will help with the dissemination of the toolkit to healthcare practitioners, abortion providers, and women’s rights and SRHR groups.