Ainsley learning more than imagined

The longer I’m in Cape Town the more I feel myself changing. In good ways and in less good ways but I’m starting to realize what it takes to make a difference in a community. For three days out of the week we go to our individual internships where we work in communities, with students, with adults, with patients and learn about the discrimination that they live with daily. We work hard to help and to create some sort of minor impact in the middle of a large, ongoing problem. We work hard to learn about the issues and change our own perspectives and preconceive notions. And after playing grown up for three days, I realize that I am 20 years old. That I am still a student and very much a kid even though I am learning about such important and in depth issues. I am so grateful to be here and to be learning about this country because I know that very few other 20-year-old Americans are aware of the things that I am becoming aware of.

Every day I hope that I am helping my students and teaching them about a new culture. But everyday I know that they are helping me. They are teaching me about themselves, their culture, and their communities because they are so far from what I know. At 20 years old I am still growing, still learning, and still absorbing so much information but the time I’ve spent here so far has forced me out of my naivety and hopefully into a more understanding and open state. We try to return to our college student selves every Thursday but it’s getting harder and harder as the realities of Cape Town continue to hit me. This place is still full of dichotomies for me but I’m finding my way and learning more than I ever believed I could.

Ainsley with her host family in Ocean View