The Start to a Finish

I never thought that my experience could lead to a future home, but that’s what I’ve found in South Africa. Here is the truth from my point of view:

I can only speak from my positionality spot though. Positionality is the combination of education, experience, and life factors that contribute to making your own personal beliefs. My positionality is that I am an American student and volunteer. I have been studying Human Rights and International Law through Indiana University and I’ve always enjoyed studying about cultures that differ from mine.

I was leaving for South Africa back in June and I constantly heard, “Why would you study abroad in Africa?” It completely beguiled my friends and family that this is where I would choose to go. I’ve been studying human rights for over three years, and to my parents it was no surprise at all, but it still came as a shock that this was my future. People were saying, “make sure to get your vaccinations,” “don’t drink their water,” and when I started packing jackets and pants, everyone thought I had lost my mind. These comments show how little people actually know about South Africa.

I feel like I should first address that while yes, I am in Africa, I am more specifically in South Africa. It’s the southern most country in Africa. South Africa is most commonly known for Table Top Mountains, Robben Island, and the Cape of Good Hope. Secondly, it is winter here and that means the weather ranges anywhere from 45-75F. They were experiencing a drought here, but it’s rained at least once a week, if not more, since I’ve been here and the reservoir water levels are rising quickly. The water is clean depending on where you go, but I haven’t gone one place where I could drink straight from the tap. Everything I have access to in the States, I have here too: wifi, water, food etc… I lived in a dorm with 22 other students, which brings me back to freshman year–five of us sharing a bathroom, kitchen, and bedrooms. Thirdly, globalism is highly affecting South Africa. There is a McDonalds on every major block corner along with KFC and Vida E Cafe. The Victoria Wharf mall has all the same shops any US mall has and then some. I never experienced culture shock, because sometimes I forget I’m even out of the United States.

The main difference is the language, greetings, and the people. South Africa has the largest amount of diversity I have ever seen. South Africa’s people have experienced slavery and apartheid, which is a large contributing factor to the diversity, but they are actively challenging the systems that put it in place and are ensuring a more equal environment for themselves. The people who live in South Africa speak at least 2 languages: English and Xhosa or English and Africaans, but in my encounters, they speak 3 or 4 depending on where they are from and their clan language. When anyone greets another person, they say “hello my brother/sister.” South African’s recognize everyone is somehow connected, even if only in the moment, and they exchange kind pleasantries. For instance, think about going to the grocery store and needing help finding an item. In America, you walk up to the clerk and say, “excuse me, where can I find this,” but here you’d say, “hi, how are you? How’s your day going? Can you help me find this? I’m a bit lost. Thank you.” It’s a whole conversation to connect with the person before getting straight to the point. Yes, it takes a bit longer, but it’s so much more personal and friendly. I won’t generalize all of South Africa and say that every person is this way, because just like anywhere you will go, there will be good and bad.

For these reasons, I know I could easily see myself living here. I want my life to be full of interconnections and multiculturalism. I see myself living in a place that I’m connected to nature, both the mountains and the ocean, and I find that here. My home has always been loving and open, but I want to expand it somewhere internationally. I have 10 days left, but I’m not ready to leave at all. I feel like I have yet to experience enough of South Africa.