I am beyond grateful for the two weeks that I spent in Cape Town, and for the knowledge and growth I was afforded in that short amount of time. Studying abroad in Cape Town exposed me to many valuable experiences and taught me empathy and compassion in a way I never could have imagined. While we got to experience some of the tourist areas, predominantly in areas with higher socioeconomic status, we also witnessed first hand the disparity between socioeconomic status amongst South Africans. Additionally, because the country has such a new history in terms of their political structure and the considerably recent formal end to apartheid (while there are still tones of it present today), we got to speak with so many people who had experienced injustice first hand and even played a role in helping to end these unfair practices. While I had signed up officially to take an international finance course for this study abroad, I learned much more about how to be a cognizant, empathetic, and understanding citizen of the world, and to focus on things and problems bigger than myself. I can’t put into words how impactful it was to see places like the township of Khayelitsha or the District 6 area of Cape Town with my own eyes and witness the rich history and culture of each place. Cape Town was full of endless beauty – yes, we got to enjoy the gorgeous physical landscape through visits to Table Mountain and staying in accommodations on the beach, but we also got to interact with so many local residents who embraced us and shared their stories, whether of hardship or joy, with a level of honesty and vulnerability that was unrivaled.
I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to participate in this program, and would strongly recommend that anyone interested in it considers participating as well. Every day of the trip allowed me enriching learning experiences that exposed me to new cultures, histories, and ideas in a way so much more impactful than just reading a textbook. From going on Safari drives to learning how to cook authentic Cape Malay dishes in the Bo-Kaap district of Cape Town and everything else in between, I will never forget the experience and learning this study abroad gave me.
