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.

Leslie's activist project and growing awareness

When I say I had no idea what to do for an activist project, I mean there were so many options to choose from. I wanted to do a project for those in Cape Town but sadly our time there wasn’t enough. When I got back home I sat down and my sister texted me. At that moment I found inspiration on what to do. Although my older sister and I don’t really talk, everything she has gone through has really touched my heart. She got pregnant at a young age, dropped out of high school, was in an abusive relationship with her baby father, and for a short time she lived in a shelter home with her son until my mom took them in. Sadly now she is pregnant and can’t seem to find a job because she can’t afford a babysitter. 

It was hard for me to find something that could help woman with all their struggles but I believe I found a great project. Thanks to my time spent in Cape Town as well as the online readings, I learned a lot that I really wanted to bring to people awareness. My activist presentation that I gave at My Sister’s Place Shelter was about sexism and media. The reason why I chose media was because it plays such a big role in our everyday lives. For woman I feel like media puts women down and it is time to bring that out into the light. Along with my presentation I did a drive for the shelter. Originally I was going to do a clothing drive but it wasn’t what they really needed so I changed it into cleaning supplies drive. There weren’t many people that attended my presentation and it hurt at first and made me more nervous. I guess it made sense when the director explained the women aren’t interested unless they specifically get something out of it. It made me realize that we need to change our way of thinking when it comes to getting involved and participating. It took me a while to change my way of thinking too because the first two weeks in Cape Town when we found out about doing an activist project I was in no circumstance interested and now I am going to keep volunteering at My Sisters Place and getting involved.

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My Sisters' Place... committed to ending homelessness and empowering women, families, and others in Greater Hartford to achieve independence and stability in their community by providing housing and supportive services.

Leslie's reflection on gangs

Cape Town was a positive trip for me and I’m happy I got in and took this journey with a great group of people. On my abroad trip, a lot of things were new to me. I mean I have always known that America has a big influence on most of the world, but what I failed to realize is that it’s not all positive.

As we visited the townships, we started learning about the gangs in Cape Town.  I was left in amazement to find out that one of Cape Town’s biggest gangs is called “The Americans!” Vernon, as well of some of the students at my internship, were telling us that they copy what they see on television about American gangs. I found it sad because back at home it is a big problem in America that we promote so much violence and it has taken a big toll on us. Never mind the fact that it is becoming the fuel to new gangs around the globe. Will the violence ever end? 

Leslie's adjustment to a cultural change

I barely talk to my whole entire family let alone my neighbors. When a complete stranger on the street says hi to me I get defensive immediately.

I probably couldn't name ten people in any of my classes. What I am trying to explain is that I have noticed how isolated we are. In America we don’t associate ourselves with everyone. We may talk to people out of envy, expectation, or simply out of liking. How many people can say they talk to random people on the street and sincerely ask how their day is going and carry on a conversation?

During my time spent in Cape Town, I noticed that many people came up to me to say hi or ask how I was doing. At first I was hesitant to answer because they were a complete stranger to me and I didn’t know what they wanted. Looking back at it now, I wish during my first few days that I wasn’t so shy and distant from the people. On the bright side I’m glad I got over it and adjusted to their friendly culture. I felt at home around the people. They were all so humble which isn’t something you see back at America.

During my homestay, my second house mom told us just how humble they were. If someone was poor they didn’t try to show off what they don’t have. That struck me the most because I know people back at home that fall into peer pressure and they try to spend what they don’t have in front of others. In America I feel like it’s harder to admit when one struggles. In my opinion I feel like we see it as failure and disappointment. What I like about the people in Cape Town is instead of looking down on the poor, they support each other mentally and emotionally. They are also there for each other. Community and unity for them is everything.

Leslie's enriching experiences of food

At one of our pre-departure meetings our team leader, Carrie, asked us to write down 5 goals we had for our time in Cape Town. Majority of our group including Carrie wrote eating a variety of foods. I think I conquered that goal very well. What didn’t I have on my trip? I ate chicken, oxtail, ostrich, seafood, crocodile, spring bock, lamb, samosas, Ethiopian food, Thai food, etc. I don’t think I was ever disappointed. I guess the food itself wasn’t what made it so great. The environment I found myself in made it 10 times better and enriched my dining.

The Ethiopia restaurant was peaceful and we ate with our hands. The cool part was the way we washed our hands. Desert was so good we all had seconds. And coffee was served with popcorn. It was a new way for me to enjoy my meal. Best part was we ate all from one plate.

Swingers, Blue Chip, and Mama Africa all had live music. It was live and the variety of talent was quite a treat.

The two oceans aquarium had a beautiful view of the ocean.

Everywhere we ate had something unique about it and I miss all the good food we ate.

The best restaurant would have to be our own home during the program. Every time we made dinner at home it was like a feast! We all put forth one item of ours and from there it grew. I think I gained more weight when we stayed in and ate instead of going out. It was good because I built close relationships with my housemates when we cooked and ate.