Joe learning about himself & how he wants to treat others

I really believe that after being here for six weeks, I have been embraced by the Cape Town culture. I can feel the beautiful and friendly atmosphere all around me and I cannot help but to take part in it. For example, at the human rights weekend that we attended two weeks, I found myself singing and dancing along with all of the other South Africans. I love the way that they are so willing to share their culture with everyone else and so excited when people decide to embrace it. Another smaller example I found regarding this is the language that people use. Almost all South Africans will call older women “auntie” or “mama” and I have often been referred to as “brotha.” I love how they all consider each other a very large, loving family and I was not apprehensive at all to join their family. I now find myself calling many other South Africans “brotha” and if I am feeling courageous enough, sometimes I may even call some older women “mama.” I can see myself acting in this Cape Townian fashion at my internship as well, when I see new clients at the Refugee Centre, I embrace them with the same sort of friendliness that any other Cape Town native would. I see that they feel more comfortable when I treat them on a human level, because some may arrive at the Cape Town Refugee Centre and not know what to expect. Most of them have not been treated with respect by a stranger in a long time, so there are points when I realize that just my demeanor can be calming to them. Cape Town has been able to teach me a lot about myself and the way that I treat others, I truly believe that if some Americans had the same mentality that some South Africans did, the entire world would be a better place. Now I look forward to the challenge of bringing home what I have learned and applying to everyday situations in my hometown and at UConn.