Brianna feeling part of her internship family

Brianna embracing the differences South Africa has to offer

I was so excited to come here. Everyone around me back home reminded me of what an incredible place South Africa is and continues to remain. The scenery is what most see the beauty in. They tried to prepare me for the aesthetic beauty that Cape Town especially had to offer and I became filled with excitement. I also received the reassurance that Cape Town is completely industrialized, so that I had nothing to truly worry about since it could be compared to the United States in that aspect. However when people back home tried to educate me on the similarities, what I seemed to have really noticed were all the differences.

The first difference I noticed was the scenery. The sky was clear, air was clean, and the mountains and beaches aligned with one another perfectly. I felt relaxed and calm, something that back home in the states is more of a luxury than a lifestyle like it is here. I noticed the food was much different in flavor and terminology. For example, a burger here is usually chicken instead of beef like back home. What I’m trying to explain, is that as I slowly began adjusting here, I realized there is much difference here in South Africa rather than similarities like everyone back home tried convincing me. I see the beauty of South Africa in all of its differences that is offered.

I realize now looking back, that when people tried explaining to me how South Africa is similar to the United States, it’s because we see comfort in similarity. Meaning that if someone’s told that a place is similar to a place their use to, they will be less scared and more comforted to make a move into a new location. However, I’ve realized more differences here and these differences are what make me appreciate South Africa more than I had ever intended.

What I was and still am most excited about here is my internship opportunity. Before arriving at City Mission Educational Services, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the school. I knew back home, internships usually included following around someone or doing the work that most people try to avoid. Being an Intern back in the United States is indeed an opportunity, but is not in any sense compared to my interning experience here in South Africa. My first day at my internship, I went into a Grade 10 classroom and sat in a chair in the front of the room. The teacher or I should say Mam, since that is what the teachers are called, stood in front of the classroom and went over an English lesson. I observed and  looked around at the students and teacher as I was sharing their daily environment with them. Then the life orientation class was next on their schedules, and Mam Gealdine, asked me if I wanted to teach it and gave me the book and class all to myself. I will never forget that moment. I wasn’t expecting to be teaching on my very first day. I thought they would want to make sure I knew what I was doing and that I was prepared to take on a class all by myself but she believed in me and my capabilities. I realized that Gealdine and the whole staff made me feel included. On other days if I was teaching a class and staff came in to pull out a student, they would apologize for interrupting my class, address me by Mam and then ask if they could take one of my students out. I felt like I was treated as an adult. Back home, I’m not exactly use to that to the extent that it is offered here.

I remember Mam Gealdine, the woman that I am following and teaching in her classes asked me what I would like to teach. I found that when I was finally given more power in a situation to voice myself, I didn’t really know how to respond. I usually just agreed with Gealdine because I wasn’t comfortable yet getting control. But Gealdine as well as the Principal Nathan, would express to me how I have skills in what I know and that here they would be expressed. She wanted me to stop agreeing with her and reminded me how I have an opinion. She explained how at City Mission Educational Services, we are all one and this really struck me as being one of the biggest differences that I had encountered yet. They didn’t judge me or my capabilities; they didn’t look at me and question my potential. They had trust in me and all that I can offer to the school. I didn’t expect to be taken in by the staff with open arms. I felt important in my workplace and this is something that I will never forget. While in the United States, before we are fully trusted, there is a long process we must go through to prove ourselves and our worth to a workplace environment. But here, they just believed in me. Without really knowing me, from the start they believed that I have something to offer to them.

 I feel important and a part of my internship family already. I have learned to appreciate the differences that South Africa has when compared to the United States because in these differences is where their strength resides.