As my first time being abroad, it was certainly a culture shock as soon as I steeped foot off the plane onto South African grounds. At first it was unfamiliar territory, but by the time the two week period was over, I felt like a part of their family. The welcoming atmosphere and multitude of smiles that came our way from the native people was a pleasure to come in contact with. Back home, a wave or a smile at someone, especially a stranger, would be met with an inappropriate gesture but with the generosity of both children and adults alike I couldn’t help but immediately feel at home.

I was also captivated by the beautiful scenery around me. The Blyde River Canyon, Table Mountain, Chapman’s Peak, and Cape Point (just to name a few) were all stunning to say the least. I can never recall seeing the world at its very best like that. New York may be the city of bright lights and tall skyscrapers, but it doesn’t get any better than Mother Nature. As we reached the top of each landmark, I felt like I had reached the top of the world, and it was an incredible sight all the way from the sky, to the mountains, to the land, and to the ocean below.

This trip has definitely made me a different person in various ways. Above all, it has taught me to appreciate the finer aspects of life. As we went through the various townships and schools, it was a true eye-opener to see the conditions under which the South African natives had to live in. When we embarked on a tour of one of the townships and were able to see a native woman’s house, it was humbling to realize that she shared her tiny space with three other families. The more someone has, the more likely they are to take their possessions for granted but when you have no other choice except to settle for less and what you have, you learn to cherish your valuables.

 I also benefited from this trip personally. As I got to study and understand more about the life of Nelson Mandela and his struggle to end apartheid, I saw qualities in his leadership that I want to resonate within myself. The exhibit in the apartheid museum focusing on his traits, such as honesty, forgiveness, and courage, stood out to me because it allowed for others to connect with him. Each of the color coded sticks represented a way of life, a commitment rather, that would be represented in the individual who selected them and placed them into the ground. As I saw myself choosing all of the sticks, I made a commitment to myself to abide by those qualities, much like Nelson Mandela used his humanity to win over not only his people, but everyone in the Rainbow Nation.

Being able to adapt and adjust to different situations was also a key point for me. Even though a great deal of the students that we came in contact with had limited English, there are still ways in which to communicate. Even if there is a language barrier, a smile can tell a thousand words. We were complete strangers to the students, but they still showed their enthusiasm for having each of us there. One challenge came up in particular when presenting a lesson plan on bullying at the Yomelela Public School. As I found out along the way that bullying wasn’t as prevalent in their lives and that they mostly spoke the native African language, modifications to the presentation of the lesson had to be made. Overall, we all made the lesson an engaging experience for the children. Encountering this type of learning experience will ultimately prepare me for my own classroom because I will have to accommodate the diversity of my students.

To pick just one site from our visit to help out is a difficult decision, considering there were so many in need of extra resources. If I had to choose one, it would be the final preschool center that we went to in Khayelitsha. This was the school we spent the most time at and we really embraced a deep connection with the kids.  When I saw the overpopulation of the center, children wearing coats inside to keep warm, the limited food supply, and how the school was located in a woman’s home, I couldn’t help but feel as if there is so much more I can give.

Another service that I was glad to provide, even if it was for a few hours, was being a male presence in the lives of these children in each school we entered. Even in the American education system, males are a rarity, especially on the early childhood level. For those moments when I served as a big brother, it is a constant reminder of one of the main reasons why I chose to get into the field of education: to be a positive role model to those who lack the necessary guidance and support. This experience also showed me just how important my role as a male educator will be to giving my students a different perspective.

I feel that I deserve an A for this course because of what I was able to take away from my expedition as a whole. I became aware of how another population lives and immersed myself in their cultural traditions. Each experience that I reflected upon often ended with a smile, either from the interactions I had or from the sights I observed, and I constantly found myself wondering if it truly was a reality. Never in my life would I imagine going to Africa, and there is plenty that I will keep with me and incorporate into my future practices. When I begin to teach, along with teaching my students the basics, I also want to guide them to be observant human beings, and I will refer back to the poor conditions that students in South Africa face on a daily basis. I will teach them to be grateful for the things they have in their life, and to have respect for themselves and others.

Overall, I have returned with a newfound sense of pride in the South African culture, natives, surroundings, as well as in myself. It was an honor that for my first time abroad, I got to travel to such an amazing country with such a rich history. The memories that I have shared in during this trip will never leave me and always be cherished whole-heartedly for the rest of my life!