Joe knows this is the best choice he could have made

We have been fully emerged into the South African culture. After finishing orientation and starting our internships, this city is beginning to feel like home. The two-week orientation process was perfect because it provided us with a well-rounded view of what it means to live in the city of Cape Town. This was extremely important considering my internship deals directly with the people of Cape Town and I find it very helpful to have an idea of where they are coming from.

At the Cape Town Refugee Centre we interview fifty to one hundred refugees daily. South Africa has more refugees than any other country in the world because it is considered the most stable country in southern Africa. For example, many refugees travel to South Africa from Somalia, the Congo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. When I first interviewed the refugees, I was somewhat overwhelmed because I had the responsibility of interviewing refugees and all of their conditions were so poor. For example, I spoke with a mother of three who lives in a one-room house whose landlord is requesting her to pay rent; she is finding it very difficult to find a job, learn English, and raise the children. The refugee center offers to pay for one month’s rent or provide money for food. The refugees find it very hard to have to choose between the money for rent or the money for food but very often they choose the money for rent because they believe that it is more important to have a place to stay every night.

Working at the refugee center has already been so rewarding. I already have noticed all the things that I’ve taken for granted. When I see children with their parents who had to leave their home and forced to move to another country where they are not guaranteed food or shelter, it provides me with a much larger view of the world. I already know that coming to Africa was the best choice that I could make and I am so excited to see how the rest of the semester goes.