Only in South Africa ...

I am now starting my third full week in South Africa! Everything is now starting to blend together, time is starting to go faster and faster every day, and I am starting to get into the norm of things. But then something unexpected will happen that leaves me laughing and saying “only in South Africa….”

            For example, at times when I am on campus, it feels like I am in St. Cloud … that is until I see monkeys walking around and jumping from tree to tree … "only in South Africa!"

            Then, when we were walking to campus one night to get wifi (yes, Annie’s Cove still does not have wifi, so I need to walk 2 miles whenever I want to get it) we walked past a poisonous snake … "only in South Africa!"

            Yesterday, we wanted to go to the beach but when we got there, the wind was so intense that NO ONE was in the water, and the sand blew so hard on me that it felt like a million needles were flying into my body! The wind was so intense that it knocked out all of the power in Summer Strand, which meant that Annie’s Cove had no power for the night … "only in South Africa!"

            These moments make me realize why I chose South Africa when I wanted to study abroad … I wanted to experience the unexpected and be pushed out of my comfort zone! So far in the matter of 3 weeks, I have done exactly that!

            Last Saturday, the campus took us on a city tour! I was able to drive through all of Port Elizabeth and experience the diversity of this city. 

This is the bus we drove through the city in .... "only in South Africa!"

This city tour consisted of me viewing the beauty of the Indian Ocean, the beautiful city buildings, and the diverse neighborhoods where the people live. I learned and saw first hand that people of different race live in different conditions and receive different schooling. The most prestigious race, White, gain the highest privileges, and then the coloureds (a mix between races and Indians) have less privileges, and then the blacks receive even less privileges. It was obvious that even though apartheid has ended about 20 years ago, the people are still affected by it. The differences between these three neighborhoods were so catastrophic! This was extremely hard for me to see … it hit me more than it did when I went to Sierra Leone. The difference between this and Sierra Leone was that the majority of Sierra Leone was in this condition, and I lived next to these conditions. Here in South Africa, I live in great luxury, only 10 minutes away from those conditions, and there are extremely nice neighborhoods right by these townships.

However, we were able to stop in a township and meet the people who live there! Their smiles were so contagious, and I have never met such nice and genuine people!

We went into a mama’s home and heard the most remarkable story … Mama A started this home which is a safe haven for 65 women. Mama A’s story brought tears to my eyes … she explained that during apartheid, black children were forced to not attend better schools, and they were forced to stay in their segregated slums … if they did not stay in their slums, they were shot by police officers when they were walking in the streets. Mama A fought for the education of these children and kept them safe. Because of this, she was thrown into jail a number of times and received extremely harsh treatment – she was abused, beaten, and faced starvation. However she kept fighting and today at age 65, she is seen as a leader in her community!

The night of the city tour, I was able to watch the African Cup soccer match! Mali and Ghana played for third, with Mali taking the victory. The soccer match was held at the same venue as the World Cup when it was held in South Africa! So cool! 

This past week, I also attended my first week of lectures, attended my first Rugby match, and experienced a true Valentine’s Day celebration! On Valentine’s Day, a number of us went back to the mama’s home where they showered us with amazing food, music, and incredible dancing!

This past weekend was the Minnesota State Dance Team tournament back at home. Since I did not have wifi at Annies, I was fortunate enough to stay at my good friend’s home, so I could stream the competition online and watch it live! What great hospitality I received! I loved being able to enjoy the competition and at the same time, not missing out on anything in South Africa! I went to the Seaview Lion’s Park on Saturday and was able to see giraffes, zebras, lions, and tigers! Not only was I able to see the lions and tigers, but I was also able to go down and pet them! I learned that lions and tigers, on average, sleep 18-20 hours a day, and they grow extremely fast!!! The lions and tigers I saw were only 2 years old – they still had their baby teeth – but they were huge! What a cool experience!

I still cannot get over South Africa’s beauty and its culture! BIG shout out to the SSDT for an amazing season and great State finish!!!! Proud South African alumni!

Peace and blessings,

Nicole

T.I.A. (This Is Africa ... This ISN'T America)

This is officially my first blog in Africa!!!! At this moment, I am still in my honeymoon phase. Everything is still new, and I am constantly excited to start new adventures while also starting to adapt to this new culture. After being here for a week, I am starting to get used to how South Africa works, but it is such a different environment and culture compared to Minnesota that it will take time to fully adapt.

South Africa is BEAUTIFUL … I need to pinch myself every day reminding me that this is reality … that I am not here for a week vacation but will be living here for 5 months! So far South Africa has far exceeded any expectations I have had! After travelling 27 hours and landing in Port Elizabeth, I have experienced waking up to an African sunset, star gazing, zip-lining over waterfalls, eating traditional South African meals, hiking through South African forests, meeting amazing people all over the world, and officially being an International Student.

But with all of these amazing adventures comes also with the difficulties of adapting to a new environment and culture … I need to constantly remind myself that this is Africa … NOT America! There are little things all the time that I need to acclimate to … things such as walking 20 minutes to BUY electricity, waiting an hour for the water to boil, walking on the opposite side of the sidewalk, people driving on the opposite side of the car AND driving on the opposite side of the road, killing cockroaches in my flat, and the list goes on. South Africa definitely does not have the fast pace attitude that I find back at home … everyone takes their time and are extremely chill. South Africa is literally a whole new world, and it sometimes feels like Minnesota and South Africa are in completely different universes, but I really enjoy stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things. I am trying to embrace all opportunities that are offered to me and also trying to find my purpose while I am here. I am so glad that I chose to study abroad in South Africa ... it has so far made me experience the unexpected, become reliant with myself, and become extremely PATIENT with how a new culture works. 

This past week was Orientation Week, so I successfully registered for my classes and learned how the South African school system works. Today I have a date with the beach, tomorrow the International Students will be going on a city tour, and I will be ending my weekend by going to the World’s soccer tournament where Ghana will be competing against Mali in Port Elizabeth!

Thank you all SO much for your prayers for safe travels … I not only made it here safely but also with no difficulties. Your prayers for my continued guidance and safety will still be much appreciated. Missing you all at home and sending my love from South Africa! 

Nicole