Molly is dealing with an internal battle over the way she has been her whole life

So…week two is now officially over. When I heard Marita say during our class that now we are down to only three months left in this country, it hit me a little just how fast time is moving. Ever since visiting the townships, I find myself having somewhat of an internal battle. I have seen the hardest areas of Cape Town and yet we live in this beautiful home and are planning our expensive excursions surfing, kayaking and more. It’s just hard to go back to living a normal life after seeing what we saw. I think of the young school kids in their nice uniforms walking back to a sand filled box with asbestos roofs who waved at me in my van full of students. I just think back on the moments where I have been so greedy and selfish and just really need to make a change and start appreciating life like those kids. I believe that if you have a family who loves you, you are already so lucky. I have so much and I need to start appreciating that. This internal battle over the way I have been my whole life and the realization that these kids with nothing look happier than I do most of the time is going to be a struggle for me throughout this trip but I am hoping that I will make a change by the time I land back at JFK.

           

We finished visiting all of the internships this week and it was amazing to see where everyone will be spending their time and see the experience they will get. This also means the end of orientation. I think now, for many people, is when things will really start to set in. Once we have a daily routine of internships and classes I think it will really hit some of us that we are staying here. I am a little homesick this week even though I have been able to talk to everyone at home; it is still just really hard for me to be away. I didn’t think this would be a problem for me because at school I usually don’t see them for a long period of time but sometimes I just get that urge to see my parents, my dogs, and just to be home. I think this will get better as we start to get busier and for now I just try to talk to them as much as possible.

I am a little nervous but beyond excited to start my internship. I know that when I walk in and see the entire clinic packed with people I may get a little more nervous but it is going to be so amazing to help out. Especially after touring Mitchell’s Plain and seeing the people that I will be working with was really special for me.