Marion Thompson : Going to South Africa was an amazing experience, ranging from cultural, emotional, and of course educational. Culture shock certainly occurred, but it was extremely positive as people were very welcoming both at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and when we went to talk or spend time with locals. It’s one thing to learn about a subject from a textbook, or even read about it in a first-hand account, but it is a whole other learning experience when one is immersed in an environment where the issue being studied becomes relevant on a multitude of levels. I also had the opportunity to do such things as go on a safari, climb Table Mountain in Cape Town, go to Cape Point, and make great friends with my fellow students (and so much more!). Taking AFRI 3100 was fantastic, and if I ever get the chance to go back to South Africa, I certainly will!
Heather McAlister : My time in Durban taking AFRI 3100 (Health and Healthcare in Post-Apartheid South Africa) is certainly one of the best learning experiences I have ever had. The guest lecturers who came to speak to us at the Centre for Civil Society were all in diverse areas from gender studies, to health and disabilities, to social work with children, to a nurse working with people with HIV/AIDS and other ailments, to a traditional medicine woman. Each one was bright and engaging and really helped to open my eyes to the diversity of South Africa and health. I am going into third year African Studies and after listening to many people talk about the joys of going to Africa and how it provides you with real-life experiences for the past two years, I can finally say that I agree with them whole-heartedly. It is one thing to study Africa and its many complex problems, cultures, languages, and histories, but it is so much more enriching to be there and to see the joys and struggles of regular people for yourself. The landscape is breath-taking, the food is mouth-watering and the people were typically very friendly. I would strongly advise anyone who wants a better grasp of the world we live in and who wants to expand their cultural horizons to take these kinds of opportunities to learn.
Khadija Gaal : My time in South Africa was like none other. Although I have traveled to many countries before, there was something about South Africa that was truly unique! The African Studies study abroad course gave me the opportunity to learn about Healthcare in South Africa, something I knew little of before I visited the country, and I came out of the course with a wealth of knowledge on the topic. I had the opportunity to make so many new friends and learn about South Africa through more than just classroom experiences. We got to meet guest lecturers who were experts on issues affecting Healthcare in South Africa, we had lots of opportunities to talk to locals, swap stories and learn from each other. On top of all this, our Professor Susanne Klausen taught, guided and supported us every step of the way. We all had the opportunity to travel during our free time. Some of us went to Cape Town and Johannesburg, and some of us went to Lesotho or went on a safari. All of us had valuable experiences that we won’t forget anytime soon. I learned so much in such a short time in south Africa and I recommend to other students that if you have the ability to take advantage of an opportunity like this, do it! You’ll definitely look back on your experiences and be more than glad that you did.
