Jambo is not even a word in Xhosa or Afrikaan, the two most spoken languages in Capetown, other than English of course. However, I have watched Mean Girls enough times to feel the absolute need to start off my blog with such a title, since it’s off to Africa I go in about 3 days time! And yes, it was hard to avoid titling this blog “waka waka ey ey: this one for africa” but I really hope to avoid the rest of the most obvious cliches.
Many have asked why I’ve picked Capetown, since it’s not the typical choice for students going abroad (aka it’s not Europe.) And to quiet all of that confusion, I figure I can bundle my real reasonings with a statement of purpose.
1. Frankly, I want a unique experience. Now plenty of people have gone to Capetown for their semester abroad experience, it’s not completely off the map. However as much as I absolutely adore my friends from school and elsewhere, I wanted to go somewhere completely my own, where I would stay. I will certainly visit Europe, but how often do people get the chance to really LIVE in another country? Which leads to 2
2. I didn’t want to be forced to play the travel game, and miss out on a feeling of true understanding of my home city. I completely respect a lot of my friends desires to go to Europe, and to visit each friend in a different country during their time abroad (running from Italy to France to Spain would certainly have it’s benefits.) But instead of such pressure to leave, I want to take that time to marvel in the smaller details of the beautiful region in which I will reside. I want to feel like Capetown is a home away from home, and I really hope I accomplish this goal.
3. No matter where I went, I knew performing service would be a main consideration. While there is plenty of good to be done in America and anywhere really, there’s no doubt I will gain wonderful service experience in a place as diverse, rich in recent historic issues, and complex as South Africa. I have heard of multiple programs which I’m interested in participating in once I arrive, one being a Youth in Prison Program. I know I will actively seek out as many service opportunities as I can manage, and I can’t wait. Essentially, I don’t want to thrive on just the “good” or “easy” parts of Capetown life, but I hope to delve into the deeper, harder issues.
And we’ll end at 3 (even though there is so much more I could share, darn my English major ways,) the absolutely beautiful landscape, the warm weather, the flowers, the style, the penguins, the largest bungee jump in the world, safari potential, the fact that English is spoken/understood, the fact that they love avocados there, and of course, the accents.
I anticipate that I am in for an experience like no other, and while I am certainly fearful of the unknown, I am thrilled to get there and begin my journey.
My next post will be post-flight (where I have a feeling I will be groggy from a sleepless flight, worried about my lost baggage, and completely out of my element, all in the absolute best way.)
Until then, wish me luck packing my life into 2 suitcases! I need it. Badly..
