Leslie: In the aftermath

Usually one month away from everything is like a vacation. Too short of a time to make a change because in a new place there is just so much to see and do in such a short amount of time. With that said, that is why I am glad to say my time in Cape Town as short as it was made a successful impact on me. The sight-seeing alone made me appreciate all that nature has to offer. Visiting main tourist attractions was also educational. When we went to Robben Island I learned about great people like Nelson Mandela who changed South Africa and saved it from hell. I had a lot of fun learning and changing the first two weeks. Although we didn’t get much sleep or free days I can’t say I was really sorry. Sure I anticipated going to bed and taking a nap every twenty minutes at first because of jet lag but once I got over that I finally began to take in a lot of information. It was all worth it at the end. I am a more aware human being internally and externally. I am more educated about things that don’t just revolve around me. I have made new friends and extended my networking skills. I have become more involved in my own community. I am also looking to get into projects that will better myself and make an impact on others like we did in Cape Town.

At this very moment in time, I miss being in Cape Town tired from a long and life changing day. I miss my students in City Mission Educational Services and although we are in touch I wish they could just teleport to me or vice versa. I am excited to be reunited with my housemates once school starts up again. I am going to start my volunteering at My Sister’s Place Shelter in the near future. As a future goal, I am planning on looking for places to bring awareness with my presentation. Life is looking up and I thank God for opening up opportunities for me.

Alyssa inspiring others with a smile and a hello

108 Hellos

One of the many important things I learned while at Cape Town was how a simple hello could change the world. The kindness of people in Cape Town was like no other. Why could it not be the same in the states? I mean, some people are kind but not all. The same goes for Cape Town but the majority of people there, were. It starts with you. In order to make the world a better place; you have to start with yourself. One person that truly left an impact on my life since returning from Cape Town was Nelson Mandela. Under all circumstances, Mandela still made a suggestion that all people make peace and did something to help others. His birthday, July 18th, is international day of celebration, “Nelson Mandela Day” where people are invited to devote 67 minutes to helping others as Mandela had for 67 years when in 2008 he said "It is time for new hands to lift the burdens. It is in your hands now." A few days before the approach of Mandela Day* I scrambled, wondering what I could do. After having a mini breakdown and getting some tips, I realized what I should do was evident and simple, just be me! 

Whenever I see someone, I make it my duty to say hello or smile. Until recently I noticed from myself that my hellos only come on certain occasions and for many years I have walked by someone looked down and have said nothing. Not today, not anymore. 

108 was the number of my old residence where I lived and had adventures as a young child. 108 was a number that meant something special to me and would be the number people I’d say hello to that day. It started off kind of awkward and I would notice some people giggle aware that I had just said hello to someone else so they knew it was coming. I didn’t mind that however, because I’d rather make some random person giggle than not make them smile at all that day. By the 56^th person, I decided to try something different. I called my sister and told her to bring our guitars to the park nearby our home. I don’t know why but I would get a rush out of making people smile. Mandela day was a beautiful day so being outside was perfect because everyone was out. My sister and I are beginners at the guitar but not beginners to entertain. We walked around the park and said hello to 52 more people but this time in a “Hello” song saying hello in many different ways. It was funny and people looked cheered up. Although this may not seem to be a typical way of helping people, I feel like it made a huge difference in a lot of people we saw that day. A hello does help. You never know who could have been inspired to do something or go out and make new friends. This was one of the most encouraging days for me and now every day for me will have the same motive, to make someone smile.

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* The idea of Mandela Day was inspired by Nelson Mandela at his 90th birthday celebrations in London’s Hyde Park in 2008 when he said: "It is time for new hands to lift the burdens. It is in your hands now."

The United Nations officially declared 18 July as Nelson Mandela International Day in November 2009, recognising Mandela’s "values and his dedication to the service of humanity" and acknowledging his contribution "to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world." 

The overarching objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good. Ultimately it seeks to empower communities everywhere. “Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day.”

Individuals and organisations are free to participate in Mandela Day as they wish. We do however urge everyone to adhere to the ethical framework of “service to one’s fellow human”.

Zuleika on coming home

While being in Cape Town I was able to notice the difference between there and the U.S but coming home just made it very real. I have realized that home is a very lonely place compared to South Africa. I loved the fact that everyone was so welcoming and you were able to have conversations with people you never even knew. In the U.S it is not as easy to do so, especially if you never saw the person. I had a conversation with the women sitting next to me on the airplane and I was able to think this more through. She was from Cape Town and travels back and forth from the U.S. When I had asked her about her experience in the U.S she agreed that it was not a welcoming place. She explained that it was hard for her to adjust because no one would talk to her unlike people in South Africa. My experience in South Africa has shown me that that is a major difference; the way people treat each other between the two countries is very different. When I came back home I realized that I am more shy but think that has to do with the fact that it’s harder to start conversations with people here. In the U.S almost everyone is worried about themselves and doing their own thing but in South Africa people actually care to see how your day is going. South Africa did feel like home!

Cynthia on learning more than she ever could have imagined

1. Learn a popular language spoken in South Africa.
2. Figure out my specific passion in life.
3. Touch the lives of at least one person I come in contact with there.
4. Learn how to make at least one popular South African dish.
5. Become immersed in the South African culture while I am there

Sitting in a room of other study abroad students I quickly wrote down these 5 goal and promised myself the make do my best to make sure I accomplish them during my 4 weeks in Cape Town. I was feeling a mix of emotions but I was mostly excited and nervous at the same time. Excited to travel abroad to a place I’ve never been before but kind of nervous because I did not know any of the people I will traveling with. Little did I know that I would become great friends with some of these strangers and I would learn so much about myself in such a short period of time. Even though I accomplished most of the things on this list, I also learned many valuables lessons that I could  have never foreseen sitting in a room at UCONN the week before finals. Four weeks in a different environment may not seem like a long time but it was just enough time for me to mature into a completely different person.

Besides learning about the apartheid years and South African culture, during that time I learned to accept people and now I am more open minded about certain things. Now, I look at the world from different points of view. I have also learned how to properly react in situations that I would not have done nothing about before this trip. My professor, Marita McComiskey, taught me about consensus decision making and with that everyone’s voice is heard. One thing I am grateful for is rediscovering my passion for the field of pharmacy. Now I am more determined than ever before to become a clinical pharmacist. I can go on for days talking about how grateful I am for this study abroad experience but unless you experienced it for yourself, you may not fully understand most of the things I am saying right now.

In conclusion, the things I’ve learned are things that are not taught in a normal classroom. They usually take many years for most people to realize them but I am glad that in those 4 weeks I learned them because they are valuable life lessons that have matured me into a better person. This entire experience is indeed a once in a lifetime experience and I would not have traded in my summer for anything else.