For the record, South Africa was not my first study abroad; I started studying abroad when I left the Bahamas on 12th December 2015 to begin studies at St. Petersburg College. I don’t think that many people can say that they studied abroad while studying abroad, but no one could prepare me for what I saw, felt, and experienced while in South Africa. I must admit, I had doubts and a few issues before leaving because I am an international student, but the application process was easy. When I found out that I was accepted into the program, and that I had received funding, I was ecstatic. My family didn’t share the same excitement, but I was going, so they had to prepare themselves. I was going to study at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (name changed to Nelson Mandela University).
South Africa was not on my list of places to explore, but after seeing my first sunrise and sunset, I realize that I was exploring more than the country; I was exploring my origin.
My first thoughts were that I was entering a country much different from my own, or the one that I’m used to, and I didn’t have anything in common with the natives there. I was so….wrong! In fact, I got a little homesick as I saw and learned more about a history shared by my own country. I walked on and sought through a map in the District Six museum that had places named like some of the streets in the Bahamas. Some areas in the Bahamas the sights were breathtaking.
At the first meet and greet I was apprehensive. After all, I was about to spend three weeks with strangers and professors that can affect my grades. My classmates became my new friends because we were always together and looked out for each other’s interests.
As we learned more about South Africa, I learned about the each of the individuals that took the journey with me. Most of the classes were open forum/ open lecture format and engaging, so although there were many lectures, the mixture of excursions and interaction worked well for a practical person like myself.
I cannot single out one experience that was the most memorable because it all sunk in and made an impact. I played with children, was up close with animals, spoke and danced with students and learned to appreciate all that I have gained in life. South Africa was an Amazing, Exhausting and Exhilarating opportunity all in one.