Throughout this trip and through various business meetings my classmates and I had within these two weeks, I have learned not only about the rich history and culture of South Africa but also how businesses operate within the country. I have learned the hardships that businesses go through on a daily basis such as load shedding and keeping a friendly work environment. I have also learned of many businesses that have started up in South Africa and how they came to be funded since the government in South Africa is so corrupt and banks will hardly let you take out a loan. We learned that the banks are more likely to give you a loan to buy a very nice car, like a Ferrari, than give you money to start up your own business. Lastly, as far as business is concerned, we learned how multinational organizations and companies, like Puma and Pepsi, are able to operate in countries outside of the United States.
On the cultural side, South Africa has changed my views on life and what it is really about. On the second to last day we had there we went to another township and played drums and ate more South African dishes. When leaving this area and walking to the vans we met up with some children playing in the streets. They had a flat soccer ball and were all barefoot but were having the time of their lives. We stopped and a few of us played with them for a bit. Even though I did not understand the rules of the game whatsoever, I felt like a kid again playing and laughing just as they did. While playing with them made me realize that life isn’t all about what you have, but it’s what you do with what you have. When I was playing with those kids and that little flat soccer ball, I wasn?t worried about what happened in the past or what uncertainty my future holds, I was just laughing and smiling enjoying myself at that moment. This experience alone makes this trip one of the most impactful experiences I have had in my life.
