As an engineering student, I never planned to have an opportunity to travel and visit another country with Texas A&M for a study abroad program. However, I?ve been incredibly fortunate to expand my interests past my coursework into the Mays School of Business programs and participate in the IBUS 310 trip to South Africa! Since we?ve arrived, I feel that I?ve been given the resources and more than enough assistance & support from my professor and program coordinators to further my understanding of finance and build on my own experiences with industry and the differences with businesses here in Cape Town.
From my perspective when I first arrived, Cape Town had a very metropolitan setting with a lot of beautiful scenery and expansive landscapes. Every once in a while, we would come across townships/shantytowns, but our exposure to these communities was quite limited, and we had many opportunities to explore and travel around the more affluent areas. However, lectures with guest speakers and visits to the Khayelitsha township helped develop our understanding of the socioeconomic disparities and political struggles that South Africa faces, and its culmination in cities such as Cape Town which has a long history of apartheid and mistreatment of disadvantaged people. Similar to the U.S., South Africa has a melting pot of various immigrants and ethnic communities, and the fusion of cultural practices and language has created a very rich and vibrant amalgamation of shared cultures. However, some apparent differences are rooted in the lack of opportunities for social and economic advances for indigenous communities and people of color. Cape Town (& South Africa), while incredibly modernized and strongly rooted in the tourism industry, is also subject to extreme disparity not comparable to the U.S. These differences are further compounded when hearing from the struggles and problems faced by local businesses and companies we had the opportunity to meet with. Nevertheless, South Africa?s short and complicated history as an independent nation offers insight into the conditions visible, and further context and research are integral to developing a more well-rounded perspective.
This impression has inspired me to have a more immersive experience while here at Texas A&M to understand how culture, history, and modernization have influenced and continue to shape the emerging economy and political landscape of South Africa. I am truly excited to learn and experience more about this country?s culture and people and relate real-world scenarios to the evolution of South African finance and business practices.
