Mary reflecting on her most meaningful experiences in Cape Town

I am amazed at how this semester has already gone by. I was just sitting in my room in Rondebosch not too long ago, and here I am at home in the US. People have asked me what my favorite part of the trip was, or what I got most out of it. These are hard to answer, although I've been reflecting lately and I'm realizing the parts of the trip I really got the most out of were the ones working with the community, getting to know people, getting to perform workshops and other human rights advocacy work, and more. Although my Facebook album shows all the cool touristy experiences I've had, it doesn't show the more meaningful aspects. Living with my homestay family and getting to know the locals at my activist project (building a house in Bonteheuwel for a family in need) for example were some of the best experiences, and I am so grateful for them. I remember one time at the activist project I arrived wearing shorts on a colder day, and Susan (who is to receive the house) brought me sweatpants to wear. It's little things like that that I really appreciate and cherish.

Another big thing people have been talking about on this trip is how they have changed so much. At first I wasn't sure if I had changed much; was I really such a different person? Coming into the trip I knew my values very well, and they still are the same, although my experiences in Cape Town have helped confirm that further. I also had experienced culture shock in my life already when I moved from a diverse low socio-economic town in Maryland to a wealthy white affluent town in MA. This, along with having been to China before and experiencing a different way of life there, already gave me an idea of how different other people can live (particularly pertaining to poverty). I also felt like living in Rondebosch was similar to living in the US in certain ways. We lived in a "nicer" suburb, were able to speak English everywhere, were able to buy the same food at the grocery, etc. So I didn't really experience culture shock in Cape Town much, although I definitely did learn new things and see different things than in the US.

I personally think I grew more in terms of self-confidence, leadership and public speaking, being flexible/adaptable, and thinking more critically about things. My internship gave me a lot of work and responsibility, and I got to on work some of these skills through planning events and facilitating workshops. The homestay and activist project made me realize how meaningful and how much I like working at a community-based level. Talking to the other students on the trip, especially those who are very social justice conscious or have unique perspectives, did expand my own viewpoint and made me think more critically about things. I used to take things at face value more but now I more often look at the social, racial, socio-economic, and gender implications.

Overall I think I will reflect more and realize the full impact of this trip as I settle back into life in the US further. I am so grateful for all the experiences I've had here, and the opportunity to come here in the first place. I've met some amazing people, at my internship, activist project, and among my co-educators. I hope to continue staying in touch with those who have made an impact on this trip and on myself.