Ok so this is my first post and I probably should have written sooner, but so much has happened since I arrived about two weeks ago. When I got onto the plane, I thought that the reality of going to Africa was bound to hit me, but it is almost 15 days later and I still don’t think it has sunk in. Coming to Africa I did not have any idea what I was getting into, but everything that I had previously thought would be in a study abroad experience has been totally blown out of the water. I don’t feel like I am a tourist, just passing through this beautiful country, but rather a concerned citizen trying to understand what is truly going on here. While I was in South Africa I heard from so many different people, ranging from political figures to people living in areas that do not have regular access to water and electricity. It was so amazing because I didn’t just get the surface view of the country but I got to hear the voices of the people that make up the heart and soul of South Africa. Every day we would hear from someone different; each having their own opinion on the country and its post-apartheid status. It was so interesting to hear how each person felt about what the country has gone through and where it is going in the future. However it also made me realize that what I may think needs to be done in the country is sometimes different than what the people want or need. I have constantly been questioning my role in this experience. Am I supposed to be a student and educate myself in order to be more informed and educate other people, or am I supposed to take action. At the end of each day in South Africa, I would lay awake in my bed thinking of everything I had seen and heard, trying in some way to formulate my opinion. I have come to this conclusion thus far, and that is “I don’t know” I have no idea where I stand, or if I will be able to pick a “side” in all of the mess that is going on in Southern Africa. But I can say this, after spending 10 days in Johannesburg, South Africa, and 5 days in Windhoek, Namibia, I have hope. Southern Africa is so beautiful and so full of life and promise, that I can’t help but to have hope for their future. I may not know if I will play a role in making it a better one, but I have hope that they will get there. Until next time 🙂
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