Challenges & Suggestions
Insights From Former Participants:
- Orientation can seem like a whirlwind but take as much
in as you can because when your on UCT campus or at work, things that you've
seen during Orientation or heard about may be talked about and its cool to
understand what they are saying because you learned about it at Orientation.
- Try to take it easy at first. Don’t worry about getting everything settled in and together immediately because it’s just not going to happen. Everything will work itself out in time. I know it is a difficult transition, but if you try to be calm and enjoy yourself rather than trying to insanely control every situation, you will be rewarded.
- Try to spend as little time as possible
using technology/social media- --get out and be
active as much as possible. You will get more out of the experience if you focus more on present
experiences instead of worrying about what you are missing at home.
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You'll be back in the US before you know it.
You will be having emotionally charged conversations and you won't agree with everyone in the house all of the time. It can be difficult living with people whom you vehemently disagree with on a regular basis. However, if you make an attempt to tolerate others' opinions, you could really learn and grow from this situation.
Do not bring hair dryers or straighteners because they won't work AND they take up space in your luggage where you could put something else. Chip in with others in your house to buy one and then share--they not very expensive
Go to different areas of Cape Town each week so you can experience as much as possible. Don't just keep going to the same places. There is so much to see and do there is no way to fit it all in to 15 weeks.
Bring a small duffel bag for weekend trips
Make sure to grab sunscreen before you leave in case you cannot find it in the first days you are there and are going through orientation (some of us got slightly burnt).
Instead of packing "an outfit to workout" bring multiple workout outfits because of numerous running and hiking opportunities
Spending time in the townships proved to be among the most moving experiences. One way we found to do that was for a group to spend a night the Makazi Guest House in Khayelitsha.
Pack a few warm clothes because it gets really cold at the end of the program. Bring clothes that can be layered is a good way to deal with the weather that is said to sometimes encompass four seasons in one day.
Don't overpack. You will likely acquire things while in South Africa and need space to bring them back.
Begin your activist project as soon as possible. Many found time spent on their community service projects to be some of their most rewarding times.
Meet as many people as you possibly can. Everyone has a story and most are willing to share them if you ask. Make new friends so they can show you some of the local spots you might not otherwise ever get to see.
Favorite place to shop: Mr. Price for good, not too expensive clothes.
