Three and a half months in Cape Town isn’t nearly enough
time to explore the amazing city. Looking back on my trip it went by so quickly
that I can’t even believe it. Being home has been nice because I missed all my
friends and family but I find myself thinking about Cape Town probably at least
three or four times a day. It truly was the trip of a lifetime in terms of
beauty and experience. The past few weeks every time I see someone new they are
like “I know a bunch of people probably asked you already, but how was Cape
Town?” and I reply with “don’t worry, I really love talking about it.” I think
the hardest part of reminiscing with people is when they ask me what my
favorite part was. The thing is that there definitely isn’t just one thing that
stands out from the rest
Overall,
there were few, if any, things that I didn’t love about South Africa. I loved
the hospital I worked at and all of the little babies that I fell in love with.
I loved the classes that we took and the deep conversations and experiences we
were all able to share with each other. I loved all the extra projects we did
with the youth group in Ocean View and human rights weekend and our homestay
weekend. And of course I loved all the tourist-y things like the garden route
and skydiving and bungee jumping. But most of all I loved all the different
people that I encountered everyday that were so open and willing to share
their experiences and passions with me.
While
abroad, I learned a lot about South Africa’s history and government and its
people, but I also learned about myself. Vincent, Vernon and Marita all did an
amazing job of teaching me more about South Africa than I’ve ever known about
America. They changed my thinking in way more than a few ways by opening my
eyes to harsh realities while also guiding me in the direction of different
ways to help and be an ally. In terms of myself, I think I finally learned what
it means to be passionate about something.
Before my semester abroad I thought I had my whole life
figured out; graduate, straight to PA school and then on to be a physician
assistant, case closed. However, after meeting so many people who have a career
that directly correlates to their passion and being exposed to so many
different opportunities, I finally realized what I really want to do with my
life. I believe that I am on the right track in terms of the medical field. But
now I have narrowed it down to wanting to work in pediatrics because I loved
being just a small part of the kid’s healing process at Sarah Fox Children’s
Hospital and I believe that kids are impressionable at their young age and I am
willing to help in any way possible. I have recently discovered my passion for
wanting to work with HIV/AIDS patients after my time in South Africa. The
exposure and infection rates are insanely high in several countries and I think
that getting involved in an organization or something related to prevention or
what not would be amazing.
It is a month later and I am still decompressing about my
trip to South Africa and I believe I will be for a very long time. I learned so
much from the people and experiences that I had while abroad I really couldn’t
have asked for anything better. Before committing to South Africa I was undecided
between London and Cape Town for study abroad. I am 100% positive that I made
the right decision for myself because I truly fell in love with this country
and I know that I wouldn’t have felt so at home in London. By the end of our
trip I felt like a local because I was so involved with so many communities and
it really felt like home. I can’t wait to return to South Africa someday!
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