Week 1 in South Africa

I have been excited to study abroad in South Africa with the college of Education at Michigan State University since I first heard about the program during my freshman year. At 6:30pm on July 1^st, with much anticipation, I boarded the 7:10pm flight to Cape Town, South Africa with connecting flights stopping in Frankfurt, Germany and Johannesburg, South Africa. 

 By 7:15pm, I was KNOCKED OUT!!! I slept the majority of the time on every single plane we boarded (from Detroit to Germany, from Germany to Johannesburg, and from Johannesburg to Cape Town). Of the 20 hours of total flying, I was sleep at least 14 of them. People who really know me, know that I can fall asleep anywhere, so the Lufthansa and South African Airlines were no different. Lol




_____






We had an 11 hour layover in Frankfurt, Germany. During that time, we traveled around the streets of Frankfurt, took pictures, and ate. It was such a beautiful place to tour.  The food even looked beautiful…………………………………………

but unfortunately it did not taste that great though. Lol 

_______

For the first 2 weeks of my studies in South Africa, I am staying at the beautiful Deo-Gratia in Durbanville of Cape Town, South Africa. I am staying with 15 other recent msu College of Education graduates. The experience has been really fun. It’s literally like The Real World: South Africa. “16 recent college graduates living under one roof in Cape Town, South Africa, for the ultimate “cross-cultural teaching experience.”  Watch as they….(insert task here)” lol 

If they recorded all of our interactions and activities. It would be quality reality television. No cat fights, drama etc... Just genuine people who are exploring the food, culture, and educational system of South Africa, while having deep conversations about life, cracking inside corny jokes and pranking one another all the time. Good stuff. 

_______

Chillin’ with the Cheetahs. #LawdHahMurcy  #enoughSaid 

__________

We went to a museum called “District 6.” The photographs, and testimonials rang very familiar in my ears. In America, one cannot talk about race relations without talking about the history of slavery, and segregation solidified through Jim Crow laws. Likewise, one cannot talk about the culture of South Africa without mentioning the harsh truths of the effects of Apartheid (legalized racial segregation). The most interesting difference however was that South Africa just outlawed Apartheid in 1994, and yet they seem to be way more advanced in their cultural sensitivity, and racial tolerance than we are in America. But that is a conversation for another post.    

_____________

        The natural beauty of the land of South Africa is unprecedented. I am simply blown away. From the mountains, and beaches, to the natural inhabiting wildlife and plant life, it is clear that God has touched South Africa. If you don’t believe in God, please come to see what I’m seeing here, and you will absolutely want to get to know the Creator of it all. Even though it is only my first week here, I am immensely grateful for this experience thus far. I am looking forward to learning and growing more during this process.