2011 UConn-Cape Town Co-educators
I still have not come to terms with the fact that we are leaving South Africa to go home a week from today. I honestly thought I would be ready to go home when this time came but I wish I could be here for at least a few more weeks. It is hard because I really want to see my family and friends but I do not want to leave the life I have built here. It has been the most amazing experience and I'm really sad that it is quickly coming to an end. Throughout this 3 and a half months here, the 23 of us students on this program have gotten closer and closer to each other. We all joke about the plane ride here to South Africa when we all just wanted to talk and get to know each other as much as possible. Now, I cant imagine not being friends with every one of them when I go home. We have all grown so much as individuals and have adapted so much of the culture here. We all use as much as the South African lingo as possible and participate in as many of their traditions that we can. We are also talking about how we are going to bring all of these things back to the US with us and spend a lot of time together when we get home. I really can’t say it enough about how much we have all grown together. I really noticed it a lot when we traveled to Plettenberg Bay. We stayed in a hostel where 18 of us stayed in one large room together in bunk beds. Both nights we were there, we stayed up talking and joking around for at least 2 hours before going to sleep. We never seem to get sick of each other and as long as we are together, we have fun doing just about anything. And although I was the only person from our group that did not bungee jump, I still went out on the bridge with them to support and be there for them. EVERYONE was cheering for the person that was jumping and was giving them positive reinforcements the entire time to help them through it. We were all so happy for each other and everyone helped each other to face their fears and take the risk. I also noticed it a lot when we were hiking at one of the places near Plettenberg. We had to climb over these huge rocks and it was definitely a struggle for a few of us. There was no hesitation for anyone in our group to step up and help us get over them. With the constant reassurance from them and trust that we have built between each other, it was easier than I thought to climb over these huge rocks that I would NOT have been able to do on my own.
On the rocks
I think that the trust is also a big thing in our group. We all have built so much trust and understanding of one another and can rely on each other for just about anything. I have to say that I was a little hesitant at first when I knew I would live in a house with 17 people but I think it will be something I am going to miss a lot when I leave. It’s going to take some time to get used to not waking up to all of the loud voices of the pool house people and always having people around at all times. Everyone is ALWAYS there for one another and it is going to be really hard to leave them and not spend as much time together like we are used to. I think I speak for many when I say that this has really become our home. Whenever we travel, we always say that we are excited to go back home, meaning back to Cape Town. Although I do miss my life back home, I will forever miss the life I built here. The experience and knowledge I gained on this trip could not be described in words but is unforgettable and something I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life. I think I could go on forever about everything I love from South Africa and my time spent here. But I will just end with saying that this experience has had a huge impact on my life and I could never forget the knowledge, experiences, and people that I’ve met here. This country is absolutely beautiful and I already can’t wait to come back in my future!
Kate, Nokuzola, and Kayla
No comments:
Post a Comment