DURHAM, N.C. -- Each week this summer, student-athletes from Duke and Stanford are sharing reflections from their experiences with the ACE program. This week, the Duke and Stanford participants in Vietnam and South Africa began writing their first posts.

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Coming to Life
By Eoin Gronningsater, Duke Men's Fencing — #ACEinVietnam

'Love your country, love your countrymen.' Every Vietnamese coach and administrator I have worked with embodies this sentiment. Some are quiet, some are loud, some are inquisitive, and others are observant, but every individual reflects this teaching in one way or another. More

Impact (va chạm)
By Mitch Finesilver, Duke Wrestling - #ACEinVietnam

We thought we were teaching the kids a life lesson, but they ended up teaching us the lesson. Everyone has the potential to impact the lives of others, either positively or negatively. Most of the time you might not even realize you are impacting someone’s life. More 

Joy of Teaching
By Josh Owsiany, Duke Men's Swimming & Diving - #ACEinVietnam

At the conclusion of Mai’s explanation, the class started cheering and each and every one of the children’s faces was full of pure joy. I shared this experience with one of the camp directors, Oanh, and she simply told me, 'That is the joy of teaching!' More  

The Feels on the Bus go Round and Round
By Jillian Wolgemuth, Duke Field Hockey - #ACEinVietnam

I was amazed I had known them only 5 days because together we shared something incredible: a purpose. Through this common purpose we were all feeling exhausted and completely energized simultaneously. More

Eating my way through Long Mỹ
By Alyssa Marsh, Duke Women's Swimming & Diving - #ACEinVietnam

As we walked around, the Vietnamese coaches suggested we try different fruits. Some are bright, and some are plain but they all taste great. More

Bigger and Stronger
By Roman Romero, Duke Wrestling - #ACEinSouthAfrica

I remember going to wrestling camps as a child around his age and looking at the college camp leaders as if they were the super-human. I never imagined of challenging one nor having the courage to tell one that I would eventually be stronger than him, yet here is this child telling a college wrestler that he will easily surpass my hard work in the near future. More

A Story of a New Student
By Callie Humphrey, Duke Women's Lacrosse - #ACEinSouthAfrica

The people of Nomzamo smiled as they walked past on the streets, often waving and giving us the Xhosa greeting, “Molo.” As we set up our first warm up exercise with a few cones on the sports field, children came bounding and leaping from all directions, excited for a day of activities…a day of activities with us! More 

Jay-Z, Mohamed Salah, and Duck Duck Goose
By Max Feldman, Duke Men's Soccer - #ACEinSouthAfrica

It does not matter their skin color or their financial or religious background or what they are wearing. Kids are kids and they love to have fun just like you and me. More

Teacher! Teacher!
By Kayla McCoy, Duke Women's Soccer - #ACEinSouthAfrica

When the children’s faces light up because they understand the lesson, the sigh of relief all the teachers exhale when the lesson is over and the kids run out of the room laughing and carrying their completed activities, or when the children come back to the classroom the next day sharing how pleased their parents were of their work – that are the most rewarding and make me proud to be called ‘Teacher! Teacher!' More

The Language Hurdle
By Sydnei Murphy, Duke Women's Track & Field - #ACEinSouthAfrica

We improvised, we used questions and actions – both grand and silly – we used objects, other people, and lots of trial and error. For the most part, it was a two-way street in terms of effort – it was a partnership. More