Lindsay reflecting on what she's learned

As this is a collegiate study abroad trip and we have been taking classes, I feel like I should write a little bit about what I’ve learned since being on this trip. For those that don’t know my schedule for the past few months has been working at Christel House Monday-Wednesday, class Tuesday night, and 2 classes Thursday. The three classes we take are; South African History and Politics, an Interdisciplinary course which focuses on the structure and function of NGOs, and Comparative Study of Race & Gender in South Africa and the United States. Considering that I have never previously learned anything about these subjects I have had a lot of learning to do. Our group is a whole mix of majors ranging from Allied Health to Political Science to Secondary Earth Science (that last one is me).

This trip was my first exposure to studying human rights and looking at social systems critically. Probably the most interesting thing has been looking into social injustice at home and seeing how similar it is to here in South Africa even though legal discrimination was only ended some 20 years ago. I’ve learned how silently racism works, mainly because it is never addressed. I can’t remember the last time, or even if ever that I talked openly about race. If you are out somewhere and are trying to point a person out to someone before addressing skin color its what they’re wearing or other attributes like what their hair looks like. Even if they are the only black person in the room there’s a weird taboo about saying, ‘Oh you see that black person…’ the word black would have to be whispered or just spoken under your breath. I’ve grown up not acknowledging race and playing along with the invisibility of racism.

Here in South Africa race is overt. They frequently refer to each other by race because in their recent history their government classified them into these races. There’s no hiding from race, and I think that works globally. Ignoring other people’s race is ignoring their culture, the disadvantages that come with being that color, being ‘colorblind’ doesn’t help anyone and that is an important lesson I’ve learned. The idea of white privilege is one that I knew of but wasn’t comfortable with accepting. After one movie I walked away frustrated and guilty for being white, unable to answer why I was given advantages and yet blamed for having them. I came to the conclusion that I don’t know why I was born the way I was or why I was treated differently because of it and it took me stating this about myself to understand racism as seen from those that racism works against.

 Racism is just one thing that I have learned about on top of more concrete things such as the history of South Africa, how the political system is structured, and the functioning of NGOs. This has been one of the most educational semesters of my college experience, although I am only 4 semesters in. But even though I’m taking 7 classes next semester, I don’t think any course load will teach me as much as I have learned on this trip

Lindsay on lessons learned when being a teacher

I have yet to write a blog post about my internship placement and seeing as I spend three days out of every week there I think it is about time I write a little something about my time at Christel House. Since at Christel House I have been working with Nasar Harris a Life Science and Math Lit teacher to grades 10-12. Because I have very little to no interest in teaching math I usually use that time to look through science textbooks and understand what teaching science in South Africa is like and also visit the social work office which is just down the hall and where my good friend Erica works with 3 other amazing women.

During my time in the classroom I have taken a passive role, answering questions when they need answering and helping kids outside of the classroom but mostly I am observing. I have taught a few lessons to test the waters and my teacher offered helpful criticism afterwards. I have greatly enjoyed my time that I’ve spent with the students and I’ve found that the time I enjoy the most is during intervals and before and after school when the learners come up and ask me any and all questions. Questions ranging from, ‘Are you married?’ to ‘What kind of town did you grow up in?’ to ‘Do you believe in God?’.

Its through these conversations and interactions that I think I’ve learned most about the culture of South Africa. Religion and culture is something that interests me a lot and in particular the role they play in a child’s education. For instance, in the matric (of 12^th grade) class right now we are starting the evolution unit, which is one I have been anxiously waiting for to see how a religious student body takes on this controversial topic. For me I have learned about evolution so many times it hardly sounds like a debatable theory to me and just sounds like science, history, and facts. One of the most thought provoking moments I have had at the school happened this past week when we started the unit. My teacher asked who believes in God and doesn’t believe in evolution and to my surprise the brightest girl in the class raised her hand. I totally and completely believe that you can both believe in God and science and specifically evolution which is why I was so surprised by her outright rejection of this, as it seems to me, very well proven theory. She responded wanting to know why she should disregard what she knows is right and believes in completely for a theory that was created by a human, which we know are flawed and she ended her statement in God is perfect. So though she copied down the bullet points that were on the board I don’t think there was any change in her incredibly set mindset. I have no doubt that she will be able to ace a test without believing in the material, but it has just been interesting in seeing the difference between how I learned evolution versus how it is learned here.

I’ve had very interesting conversations about culture, which I have always found very enlightening. These two grade 10 boys are always more than happy to talk to Erica and I and it usually ends up being about cultural matters. They were more than happy to talk to us about the ceremony that boys going through to become men. For those reading this blog that are unfamiliar with the Xhosa traditions of entering manhood this is what Asanda and Siyathamanda (Siya for short) have to say about it. "For 3-4 weeks you are sent to the bush to survive. The first week you are given no water or food, the second week you are given water and limited food, and by the third week your family is able to visit you and bring you things that you need. The whole process is culminated in the final ceremony that is being circumcised. After becoming a man, you must talk differently, address other men and boys differently, dress differently, and act differently". Asanda is skeptical about the whole process and isn’t sure if he wants to partake in it, to which Siya responded ‘It’s our culture man, you have to’ .

So many lessons to learn and just not enough time! As my final week at Christel House is quickly arriving I can’t believe how lucky I have been to get to know these kids and also how crazy it is that I will probably never see some of them again. I’m sort of dreading Wednesday because that will be my last day at Christel House. I don’t want to say goodbye to the kids and adults that I’ve bonded with, but at the same time I’m ready to apply what I have learned at my internship back home.

Lindsay approaching her week of "lasts."

I couldn’t even sleep this morning because somewhere in that hazy state of sleep and consciousness a thought came into my head, this is my week of lasts. Today was my last Sunday, the last time I get to see Muizenberg, the last time I would do anything here on a Sunday. It seems so silly but it really made the whole leaving thing a reality. I have felt ready to go home for a good week now I would say, but today I really understood what it means to leave. That I won’t be taking the train to the beach anymore, or waking up to see Devils Peak outside, no more last minute sunset dinners at Camps Bay and it made me realize  - maybe I’m not ready to give this up.

            

I’ve been so focused on going home for the past couple weeks because its been so close! So soon would I be able to hangout on my couch in the basement with my sister and sleep in my own bedroom with my cozy comforter and sheets! (They don’t believe in sheets here, just a cover and comforter is the usual bedding.) I’ve been so excited to get back up to UConn and see my friends that I haven’t seen in ages, meet with advisors and get next fall all figured out. I’ve been living so much in the future as if I was already home I almost forgot to savor my last few days here and I thank my last Sunday for snapping me back to reality. The reality that this is the last time I’ll be seeing Cape Town for probably a decent amount of time. And definitely the last time I’ll be enjoying the company of my 28 co-educators and amazing RAs and professors.

            

I’m determined to make this week of lasts count, not take another second of being in Cape Town, South Africa for granted. Though I have managed to cross off just about everything on my list and in that sense could leave this instant happy and satisfied, I’m going to get the most out of every day I have left. It might be a challenge because as happens with the end of the semester we have important work coming up, final papers, essays, and projects but this week I am going to be the Queen of Multitasking crossing off homework and social to-dos like nobody’s business! My plan is to work and play insanely hard this next week and then just sleep the entire plane ride home.

            

Being back home has been a reoccurring theme in my dreams, but the reality is that I am still in Cape Town and until my plane takes off Saturday night I will remain the proudest temporary Capetonian I can be. I have felt the emotional change happen in my heart, while I used to be too excited to get home, now thinking about my departure makes my heart heavy. The excitement I once had (which is still definitely there) is being masked temporarily by the heaviness of leaving this amazing place that I have been too lucky to call home these past months. I will never forget the amazing adventures or spectacular people that I shared them with. This trip is a time of my life that I will cherish always, I love Cape Town and my #cpthuskies (Cape Town Huskies for those unfamiliar with the hashtag) and always will!

Erica, Lindsay, Wylie, Savitri & Elise on Lions Head at full moon.

Lindsay on one of her 5 favorite days in South Africa

Last week we were invited to spend the day at the Boys and Girls Club outside of Johannesburg. I can safely say that this day definitely makes my top 5 favorite things we have done. When we walked into the building we got a brief overview by Casey Bridges, the man who runs it. The center provides for about 150 kids, giving them various activities; playing soccer, wide spaces to run around in, table tennis, and other alternatives to being on the street. Serving teens to toddlers, the Boys and Girls Club of Soweto offers and safe and fun environment to all of these kids and I had an amazing time helping in that mission.

We got there and were dispersed into groups to help manage the upkeep needed. There was a gardening group, a group creating a soccer field, a group making a mosaic, and a kitchen group prepping for our braai that we were having later. Though we all had duties, there was still plenty of time for playing with the kids.  I made friends with a little girl rather quickly, it all started with her asking for my sunglasses and from there we spent the day together. She was adorable and wouldn’t allow my attention to stray from her. She wanted to wear my purse which was strapped across my body hanging by my hip. When she put it on her little person body it dangled past her knees and she struggled to talk with it, not that that stopped her. We walked around all day, always holding hands, she introduced me to some of her friends (and seemed to be showing me off a little bit).

Lindsay having a ball with her new friends at Soweto Boys and Girls Club

I also made friends with a couple of girls who were teaching us how to dance. I think its safe to say they were impressed with my ability to pick up their dance so quickly, and by the end of the day I had worked up a sweat from all the dancing. The day ended with the kids putting a show on for us consisting of several very well choreographed dances! It was the cutest, best way to end the day. It was a day full of helping and happiness and it ended with heartfelt goodbyes

Lindsay sharing experiences and learning about herself

This past week I had the extreme pleasure of sharing my Cape Town experience with one of my best friends from UConn who is studying with a program called Semester at Sea. She came into port on Monday and I played tour guide for the day showing her and her friends around the amazing city I’ve come to call home over the past 3 months. We went to popular markets, gardens, and restaurants to give them a taste of the city. After my brief tour around town, they were definitely impressed with my knowledge about the history and people of Cape Town (and I surprised myself with the information I had retained from the first two weeks of orientation during some of our museum tours).

            

A topic that we talked about a lot was the difference in our programs. She had been to 9 other countries when she came to see me (India, China, Japan, and Burma to name a few). We talked about the difference in seeing and experiencing so many different cultures versus only being submersed in one. I came to the conclusion that we each did the programs that were right for us. She is definitely a traveller. Enjoys having many different experiences, seeing all different places and many of them. I’ve always known I am more of a homebody and I think because of that I enjoy settling down in areas for extended periods of time and feeling at home in spaces. I could not have chosen a better place to make my home for a little less than 4 months. And she definitely agrees. After being off the boat for 4 hours, she asked me if I would want to go in on getting house together here.

One of the activities that her and her friends had on their checklist was hiking and I had just the hike for them. Wednesday of the week they were there was the full moon and after the amazing experience I had hiking Lions Head during the last full moon I knew I had to suggest it. We made plans to meet up at 5:30 on the mountain in two days time and I was so excited to share the amazing and beautiful views I had experienced about a month ago! The day of, a few of us got a cab to the beginning of the trail and all we saw as we got to the front of Table Mountain we saw the huge cloud coverage over all of the mountain range and covering the city bowl. We debated proceeding because you couldn’t even see the top of the mountain because it was coated in clouds. In the end we decided to continue on, when else would we be able to hike into the clouds?

Climbing Lion's Head: ascending into the clouds

It was an absolutely amazing time.  Being able to share this experience with one of my best friends from school who was only visiting a few days was incredibly lucky. We hiked into and above the cloudbank and that was blanketing the city bowl and surrounding area (which was probably a good thing so that her friend who is terrified of heights could never really see how high up we were) to watch the sun set into a multitude of clouds. Something I’ve come to realize about myself while being here is how important sharing experiences with people is to me. I’ve come to notice I don’t like doing things on my own because I believe part of having an amazing experience is then sharing it with the people you love and care about. I’m capable of being independent, but I’ve realized how important being with the people I hold near and dear to my heart are to me. After all, distance makes the heart grow fonder so I’ve been told and can now understand.

            

Lindsay on the climb to self discovery

The amount of self-discovery is both exhausting and invigorating. I have really enjoyed the opportunity this trip has given me to work on finding who I am as a person, what my values are, and how I want my future to reflect the things I have learned about myself since being here.

Lindsay's countdown to departure

This weekend we had the pleasure of being invited to one of Vernon’s friend’s house for a braai. Only being the second braai I have been to since being here I’ve already picked up on some practices. Firstly, you eat before the braai. Though the event may start at 4, the main food will not be out for a few hours later. Secondly, there is an absurd amount of food. Before all the meat and fish is prepared to serve, there are samosas, crackers, chips, fruit, spreads, and more and more. Once you think you’ve filled yourself up on finger food there is beef, lamb, snoek, and chicken to come!

           

We have been so blessed to be welcomed into the homes of amazing people who want nothing more than to help us, make us feel at home, and of course feed us. Everywhere we go we are met with love and genuine kindness of the people around us, a reaction that I absolutely love and am so grateful for!  While I am still falling in love with the people and the town I’m starting the lamenting process as I come to terms with this encroaching departure date.

The scariest question I heard this week was ‘When are you leaving?’ because the answer is something I think I’m starting to try to repress. When first arriving in January I had no problem answering ‘The end of April’. But now, the end of April only gives me about a month of time left, 39 days to be precise.

I know a lot of people are starting to feel the same and it’s incredibly frightening. I wrote briefly about this before but the countdown is only getting more and more stressful! Something we talked about in the pre-departure class is coming to terms with the fact that we wouldn’t be able to do everything we would want to. I didn’t think I had an issue with this, but as the time for leaving comes closer I find myself fighting harder and harder to admit this might be true.

Looking at how I have to plan out my remaining time I have concocted a rather ambitious schedule. Activities like hiking Table Mountain, paragliding off of Lion’s Head, continuing to teach myself how to surf, sports games, museum (and planetarium) exploring, and volunteering opportunities are all things that I refuse to give up. Sleep is going to have to wait for a while because I just simply don’t have time for that anymore. There’s just too much to do and not nearly enough time! 

Lindsay's 1st protest in Cape Town

The first protest I partook in since being here was this past Friday on International Women’s Day there was an organized march against gender-based violence. I knew it was going to be a cool experience but I didn’t expect it to be so moving. First there was a service that displayed many different local congregations coming together to stand up for women’s rights and gender equality. Probably the most interesting person that spoke was a Shi’ite priest telling about how cruelty against women is not in the Quran but the prophet speaks of equality in the home. He asks the congregation how you can beat your wife and then want to engage in sexual relations with her. After the rest of the religious leaders spoke we moved outside where they rang out bells to spread the word and we were all given whistles to continue creating noise.           

Lindsay rings the bell to end violence against women

While we were walking out the door we were handed signs, each with different saying things about standing up for women’s rights and in particular bringing an end to rape. The part I enjoyed the most about the protest was seeing the people’s reactions on the street that we passed. Because of the tremendous ruckus we were making, many people were holding their ears and reading our signs. Many people gave us thumbs up, there was an entire bus of senior citizens that was hooting and hollering for us. My favorite bystander was this one woman that stepped out of the store she was working in and thanked everyone in our procession. She stood there in the blaring noise of our whistling and screaming and peacefully and sincerely thanking each individual she made eye contact with.

           

It made me wonder what her story might be. Who does she know that has been affected by rape? One of the signs we held was ‘I march for my sister, mother, aunt.’ I wondered if she was someone personally affected or has the connection to a victim that was on our sign, or was just saying thank you for all of these people standing up for women. The group marching was actually pretty close to even ratio, there were slightly more women but seeing just as many men protesting for equality and women’s safety was really encouraging. To feel and experience a group of people working towards a common goal of equality was absolutely amazing and incredibly inspiring