Browsing Tag

study abroad

South Africa

A Week in the Life

Lost & Found

It’s been an interesting week so far. Along with developments at Rape Crisis and stimulating conversations with family members here, I’ve also been writing a ton. This trip for me is part of my scholastic endeavors and I plan to write my Honors Thesis on my experience. I’m not 100% certain on what yet, but my thoughts seem to be culminating around women’s rights. Continue Reading

South Africa

Life in a Township: Journal Entry Reflections

Khayelitsha Township

Each day, I open my journal and put pen to paper. It isn’t always a lengthy entry, but the committment to write daily is still there. Knowing I’ll not always have a chance to get to a computer, it’s important to write down the day’s events or observations. Here’s an excerpt from last night and my reflections of my current life as I live in a township in Cape Town, South Africa.

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South Africa

African Time

I am learning the way in which I look at my world is not necessarily the most profitable to humankind. Yesterday, a few friends of mine on the trip and I were talking about the distinct difference in urgency between the U.S. and what we’ve experienced so far in South Africa. For most of us, we’ve never experienced anything quite like this before. Time, it seems, is a moving target here. Time is given, appointments are made. However, it doesn’t seem like there’s much stress in arriving at said time.  Continue Reading

South Africa

Khayelitsha, Home Sweet Home

In Khayelitsha, the community accepts outsiders as family. This isn’t a process that’s earned or takes time, it happens immediately. Older people are addressed as “Mama” or “Dada,” younger people are “sisi” (sissy) or “brother.” Host families are just that – your family. That feeling I had arriving in Khayelitsha the first day, it was indeed foreshadowing.  Continue Reading