Lianna on being home

Since being home, I’ve really been missing life back in Cape Town.  No longer do I get to look up each day at Table Mountain, no longer do I get to wake up in a house of 17 of my friends, and no longer do I get to see some of the most heartbreaking, yet inspiring things I have ever seen in my life, on a day to day basis. Like Siobhan said, writing this last blog post makes me feel like our trip is finally over, there is not much left of our adventure, only attempting to share it with the people closets to us, which I have found to be very difficult.   Even when I have enough time to explain what I was doing, and the things that took place, I know that I’m failing at describing it accurately.  Perhaps we’ll get a little better as time goes on – the people who did last years symposium seemed to have to down pretty well, but for now it remains difficult to put everything into sentences.

I’m extremely grateful for my time there, the internship of my dreams may not have panned out according to plan, we never did get to go shark cage diving, and I never made it to the top of devils peak (got a little lost) but I guess that shows the benefits of being flexible adaptable and spontaneous (I’m not sure how long that phrase will be stuck in my head). Overall my experience was absolutely amazing, and life changing, and what better way to put that into perspective than returning to my small hometown right away.  Not much changed since I was gone, but looking at it from a whole new perspective, I can appreciate just how quaint and nice it is to live in this small town in rural Connecticut, and while its been a nice vacation back to my old life, staying here has got me antsy for my future.  Now that I have seen part of the world, and been exposed to a whole new culture, I can’t imagine not continuing on in this journey.  Also, learning what I have this past semester, I have been more directed in what I ultimately want to do in life, and with this new knowledge, it seems strange to have a normal summer before starting out on this career.

Katherine's reflections and advice

I struggled to figure out what to write for this last post. While I don’t think I’ve skipped out on anything important in any of my posts, I wanted this one to really mean something. Therefore, I have a few things I want to cover in this post. First, as I am leaving, I want to take time out to thank everyone that’s made this semester as great as it’s been. To my professors Marita, Vernon and Vincent, I want to say thank you because without them this program wouldn’t be possible. They have provided so much valuable knowledge and guidance throughout my time here. Next to my internship co-coordinator Stan for not only allowing me to work with him, but also for going above and beyond the role of a boss. I would also like to thank Ben and Jess for being the best RA’s I’ve ever had and Ben for his notable story telling abilities. Finally, I’d like to thank all of my roommates for making this trip as memorable as it was. This would not have been as great had any of you not been there to experience this with me.

I also want to take time out to speak to any readers considering this program..DO IT!!! This was perhaps the best decision of my life to partake in this study abroad program. While studying abroad in general is great, I think this program is truly the best one offered at Uconn. This program is filled with amazing people (see above) that help to enhance your understanding of your environment politically, geographically, historically, culturally, and any other which way you could think of. Additionally, this is the only program at Uconn that provides you with an internship. This is not only a great way to build your resume, but for three months you really get to become one of the locals, and as a result get to see the city from a perspective you otherwise would miss out on. And finally, for those people that are looking to study abroad in Europe so they can travel to many different countries, although it would be more difficult to do in Cape Town, there is so much to do in South Africa that you don’t really have time to consider other countries.

Finally, in this last part of my last blog, I want to share a bit of advice for future Cape Town study abroad students. First, don’t leave things to the last minute! Cape Town has sooo much to offer and you’re going to want to do it all, so my advice is to do it early while you still have time and money. Secondly, don’t say no to anything (aside from the dangerous of course!). One of the great things about South Africa is that it’s sooo different from the United States. Embrace it! You may discover some things that you love that otherwise you would have never experienced. And even if you don’t like it, at least you can say you’ve tried it. Finally, don’t expect to change the world. This experience is as much about you growing and learning as it is you helping others. Come in with an open mind and open heart and you’ll certainly have the time of your life!!

Siobhan facing the realities of re-entry

I’ve been putting off writing this blog post because it means Cape Town is really over. As great as it has been to see my family and friends, I really miss South Africa. I miss having something to keep me occupied every day, I miss my housemates who I’ve grown so close to I can’t even believe it, I miss seeing Table Mountain when I wake up every morning, and most of all I miss never feeling lonely.

We talked about how hard it was going to be at home, how hard it was going to be to share our experiences with people, but I guess I was holding on to the hope that my friends would be different and they would understand. I feel as though Cape Town happened in another universe, especially because I came home and everything is exactly the same. I’ve changed, but nothing else has. I feel like a different person, I feel like I have different interests and values and dreams, but everything here is the same. I’m worried that I’m losing my memories of Cape Town already, that it’s already starting to feel like a dream or something, and so I’m going to hold them inside, stop trying to explain things that have no words, and thank God that I have my former housemates to support me.

This summer is going to be different, to say the least, but I look forward developing new coping mechanisms as I settle back into my routine of work, going o the beach, and working again. Don’t get me wrong, I love my friends and family more than anything, but this is definitely harder than I thought it was going to be.

Kate's farewell to Cape Town

Our final week in Cape Town passed faster than perhaps any other 7 days of my life. It seems like only yesterday we were getting off the pane in an unfamiliar place, excited to spend an entire semester in Africa. And now it’s over. Tuesday was the last day at my internship with Beautiful Gate, a place that I have grown to love and will miss dearly. We made sure to take plenty of pictures, and had the children help us with our poster for the banquet. As we were saying bye to baby Iya for the last time, his house mama took her phone out and asked the 3 of us (Kayla, Meaghan, and I) to pose for a picture. After she snapped it she said, “So when he starts talking, I can show him you guys.” I’m sure that comment will stick with me for the rest of my life, and even more sure that I will never forget the time we spent with the kids from Beautiful Gate.

Thursday was a day I had been looking forward to for some time, as it was the day my parents finally arrived in Cape Town. With the help of Ben I met them at he airport. It wasn’t as thrilling as I was anticipating as they were literally the last ones to come out of customs, as in the terminal was empty when they finally emerged. Never the less, it was great to see them, and they offered some quality entertainment as they learned to adjust both to the rules of the road and the lingo of the locals.

Friday was the banquet in which the purpose was to thank our internships and serve as a closing event for the program. Everything about the evening was excellent, the company, the food, the entertainment, the venue, I could go on and on. After a bus ride with Faiak for the final time, we arrived home fairly late. Saturday we all ventured to the Old Biscuit Mill, before we had to meet back at the house for our final house meeting and to say our goodbyes. Saying bye to all those we had met in Cape Town was very difficult, as was saying bye to those who would be boarding the plane back to New York. As for me, I’ve spent the last couple of day showing my parents around this place where I’ve spent the past 4 months. But it’s all coming to a close as I leave tomorrow morning. So here’s to you, Cape Town, for being a place of discoveries; about the world, this beautiful country and its people, and most importantly, myself!