Since arriving back in the states, I?ve never been more thankful for the experience and opportunity to explore South Africa while here at A&M. Although the time spent was short, this study abroad experience has been incredibly impactful and memorable, and I hope to continue chasing opportunities to further my knowledge of the world and other cultures.
Comparing my final reflections to my initial impressions, I am truly surprised by how much my perspective of South African business practices has changed over 2 weeks. While my initial perception of South Africa was rooted in research about the history of the country, I believe that the immersion of our group in various communities and meeting people of all backgrounds has considerably provided me with a more well rounded understanding of the shape of the South African economy, and the institutions in place that affect local business practices and the livelihoods of many citizens.
For one, I believe that I originally believed that South Africa had a similar framework as many other underdeveloped third world countries, but as I began to explore Cape Town and met with local business owners, I understood that there was a long history of political suppression and economic inequality that has limited a substantial amount of development in the country?s infrastructure and prevented social mobility for many of the populace. These factors can be seen in the local business practices we observed, as many townships have formed communities aimed towards fostering growth and progress by investing in their members and emphasizing a community commitment towards Ubuntu, a philosophy rooted in the sentiment ?I am because we are?. With Ubuntu, indigenous communities can find support and strength in community based elements and extended family structure, including looking out for one another and working to build up the community as a whole. Local businesses are integral to a global application of this philosophy, as many educated owners come back to underdeveloped communities to help facilitate progressive growth and providing opportunities for employment. Furthermore, local programs and youth development organizations have been successful in investing more resources into these communities to help open up opportunities for advancement past township communities into more modernized parts of Cape Town and the country. These efforts have been incredibly beneficial towards building back economic power and equality in many indigenous households, and have instrumentally shaped my perspective about the potential of South Africa?s economy and growth in the future.
In all, my exposure to South African business practices has introduced me to the strong culture and sentiment of its citizens, and has furthered my understanding of the various factors that contribute to the growth and development of a country?s economy. This has truly been an amazing experience, and I hope that more students can have opportunities like this to expand their exposure to the world and our global impact as Texas A&M students.