When I knew I would be returning to Cape Town this year, I was thrilled and certain beyond a doubt it would be yet another incredible experience for me, as well as for a new group of student. However, I had one nagging concern—how could any group of students possibly be as wonderful or get as much out of the experience as the amazing students who accompanied me on my first life-altering Honors in Cape Town Study Abroad experience??
However, having spent the past two days meeting one on one with each of the 15 students, I now know any reservations I had were totally unfounded. This group is certainly different in many ways ---as evidenced by the fact that although their first two weeks of orientation provided much the same schedule as was given in '08 (with a few notable excepts), this initial introduction has given these '09 students some extremely different experiences and insights! With that realization, and the unbridled enthusiasm of all, any slight apprehension on my part has evaporated as surely as the morning mist ---and why should I be surprised? this is a totally special and unique group—---and . . . THIS IS CAPE TOWN!
As I met with students yesterday and today I shared with them what I had written after our initial class on Thursday evening: “Listening to all 15 students describe thoughts and feelings about their first 11 days here has convinced me that if all were to leave Cape Town tomorrow, each would have gotten more than their money's worth from this experience!” Each and every student, without reservation, agreed whole-heartedly with that assessment. It is quite astonishing to consider just how much each has gained personally and academically ---even before beginning their internships --–which is the primary reason why most were attracted to this particular program in the first place.
As I mentioned before, and students concur, despite the eloquence of language or artistic ability of the photographer, there is absolutely no way to explain the Cape Town experience to one who has not been here. As hard as we try to articulate the experience, words are simply inadequate to describe the magnitude of the transformation that occurs. Time flies by as if in a blink of an eye, and yet . . . it seems as if we have been here for ever! We recognize that we are in a strange country, half way around the world from family and friends, and yet . . . we are feeing almost at home. Despite our being so obviously American, and standing out wherever we go, almost everyone we meet seems to be happy to go out of their way to be helpful. And when we thank a stranger for providing assistance of any type, the most typical response is . . . "pleasure!" . . . said in such a way that it is easy to believe they sincerely mean that it has been a pleasure for them to be of help.
It's not just what happens with others, but also countless opportunities to learn from one another beyond anything that could have been anticipated. For example, living in a house with 15 people could be an educational experience under any circumstances, but in Cape Town such seemingly mundane lessons are becoming truly life-altering. Students have realized that it is very unlikely they would have ever been friends with the housemates they have here if they were still in Storrs--- not only because of the size of the campus and their different social networks, but also because of the judgments they might have made about people so very different from themselves! What a valuable way to uncover theories regarding unacknowledged stereotypes! How very informative to see for one's self how easily preconceived judgments of others so often prevent us from getting to know some of the nicest and most interesting people!
Yet, while we seem to be learning some new and important bits of information ALL the time, there still are ample opportunities to have some great fun in the process. In addition to students taking time from their busy schedules for their one on one conversations with me (which included lunch for those wise enough to sign up to meet at my flat during the lunch-hour time slots) all were able to have some well-deserved free time to take pleasure in the gorgeous weather and spectacular countryside.
Friday was spent enjoying two of the many Cape Town Beaches , as some headed to Muizenberg on the train, and others to Clifton Beach 4 on a minibus taxi. While several learned yet again the painful lesson of just how easily one can get too much sun in the southern hemisphere, all seemed to savor a free day of relaxation and summertime fun.
Saturday provided some time to settle in while beginning to plan how and when to tackle those every day tasks that can pile up when not addressed on a regular basis, such as: laundry, shopping, reading, writing, and homework, to name a few. Most seemed content to take the time necessary to complete (or at least begin to work on) these tasks with the promise of more fun to come as they made plans to attend a play or go to a club in the evening.
While some of the group opted for an evening out in Obs, nine students and I headed to the Baxter Theatre to see The Tempest. However, due to some misinformation and miscommunication, we arrived at the theatre only to discover that the play was sold out!!!
Quite a disappointment for all but while some in the group decided to leave the theatre and make other plans for the evening, Michelle, Faina and I decided that, since we had already walked down to the theatre, and there was another play being performed at the much smaller studio theatre, we would just stay to attend that show. And we are all so very thankful that we did!!!
In the Baxter Theatre Sanlam Studio, we were privileged to be present at one of most profoundly moving theatrical performances any of us had ever seen: Tshepang, directed by Lara Foot Newton, scenography by Gerhard Marx, starring Mncedisi Shabangu and Constance Didi. As if seeing the show wasn’t worthwhile enough, following the performance, we had an opportunity to meet and speak with both of the remarkable actors from this incredible two-person show!
I think the three of us agree that whether or not we are able to attend The Tempest before it closes on 6 Feb, we will remain eternally thankful that tonight’s performance was sold out, and that we made the choice to attend Tshepang!
Following the show we stopped at the Hussard Grill for a bite to eat before calling a metered taxi to drive us home. Upon the expert advise of a very handsome server, we called Elite Taxi, and had to agree, it was a ‘prompt, reliable, and inexpensive’ mode of transport --–with a great driver, Romeo, who obviously had made many trips to Loch Rd with previous student groups.
Tomorrow we leave for Kirstenbosch at 10:00 a.m. for a day of climbing Table Mountain (at least for the many athletic members of the group), viewing the amazing flowers in the Botanical Gardens, taking pictures, picnicking, and attending the 5:30 concert with Prime Circle, billed as “South Africa’s most successful rock group."
Postscript: When we arrived at Kirstenbosch we discovered the concert for the evening was sold out (next time we will check before planning to attend a Sunday evening concert). Twelve students decided to hike Table Mountain. After some fabulous picture taking, decided rather than return to Kirstenbosch they would take the cable car down the mountain and were picked up there by the transport we had arranged for the day. Three students relaxed and enjoyed the day at the gardens. I returned to my flat to get some work done.
