Outgoing Students

Expand all Collapse all

• Bulelwa Ngcobo in the University of Calgary (Canada)

  Being an exchange student, an experience and a half!

  Beginning to reflect on the four months that I spent as an exchange student in the University of Calgary in Canada may prove to be one of the hardest tasks for me. How do I even begin to write a two page paper on the best four months of my life, there is just too much to try and fit into such little space.

  One of the biggest things I could say shocked me and made me realize that I had left South Africa was the fact that for once in my life I was, in a matter of a couple of hours in totally different environment, with everything different from what I know. The first couple of days in Canada where pretty scary for me because for one, I could not see even one Black person, that was very scary for me because I suddenly felt like I stood out and was an outcast. Obviously these where my thoughts but I honestly found it so hard to get out of my shell and go out to meet and introduce myself to the vast variety of other kinds of people, this was mostly because of the background that I was coming from. I can safely say that was a major problem for me because even though I have friends from other races specifically White, I had never before been placed in a position where all form of relationships that I had to have be based solely in communicating and having relationships with people of other races. Leaving South Africa I knew that that would have to be the reality but when I arrived it shocked me and really sent me of track.

  I also knew that even though I had never had a real relationship, one not of not just convenience with groups outside of my race, it had to be something that I would have to overcome. Honestly the first couple of weeks felt hopeless because I was not able to break that invisible but yet strong barrier that was keeping me from exposing myself fully as an individual but also as an ambassador to people that I was coming across on daily bases. Eventually I started breaking through the barrier and one of the things that I realized was that people around you accept and respect you as a person if you just do you and forget any sorts of expectations that you might have and assume that you have to fulfill. I realized that it was much more easier making friends and having real meaningful relationships with people when I was being myself and not compromising on who I was and what I believed in.

  One of the other major things I felt caught my attention to an extreme was the fact that I come from a conservative religious society and when I got to Canada I learnt a new meaning for the word “LIBERATION” until I had found a church that I could associate with my belief system it was so difficult for me to get what was going on. It’s probably politically correct but it was a totally different experience for me, because on campus there was all kinds of different churches worshiping in the same place and the fact that in a university three times as big as my campus only had one small room for all kinds of different religious groups to worship in.
  

  Another thing I noticed whiles I was in Canada through other exchange students and locals was the fact people around the world have a very narrow picture of what South Africa or rather Africa as a whole is about. During clubs week every other table I went too that was talking about social development had talks about how they plan on feeding some random family in Africa and how joining the club would help benefit some family ‘somewhere’ in Africa. I believe that Africa is a continent that is more than just the starving little kids that every news channel shows, more than just the continent that is stricken by diseases such as HIV/Aids and the like. Africa is a continent that has overcome so much and needs to be recognized for that and I truly believe that a program like the exchange program is a good project because it exposes the world to a Africa that portrays not just the negative aspects but also the positive things that we have to offer the world.

  Going to Canada opened my eyes to so much about the western society and its culture which on its own is very different to what our society is here, but through all that I learnt and loved about Canada was how much I actually love my country and how I wouldn’t relocate for any reason what’s so ever. There is so much work that needs to be done in South Africa and Africa as a whole and being away on the exchange program has allowed me to see how much I want to be part of the change and progress that our country will be going through in the next couple of years to come.

  Its honestly difficult to put into words how the program has changed the way I view not only my personal space but also how I view bigger social issues. The one thing I’m definitely sure of is that whatever needs to be done to help make Africa rise above the rest, I am willing to do, even if it’s just starting small and maybe just even in my community...
  A new and greater hope for better possibilities for all...

• Kevin Hill in Michigan State University

  I attended Michigan State University as an exchange student for the second half of 2011. It was the adventure of a lifetime that saw me form lifelong friendships, learn an incredible amount about myself and experience American culture.
  
  I embarked on this journey in August 2011, in which I had to fly through Dubai, New York and Chicago and then take a bus and train in order to get to Michigan State University (MSU), one of the largest land-grant universities in America. Upon arrival I was immediately shown around the university by a member of the International Student office and was amazed at how big the campus was. To walk across the width of campus took about 40 minutes, so needless to say the first two weeks were filled with getting lost, often. In the first week I attended orientation where, apart from being introduced to the university, I made friends from Bulgaria, Norway, China, Australia, England, France and Spain. I shared many good times and adventures with these friends which included a trip to Toronto and Niagara Falls, the largest roller-coaster theme park in America and a boating trip down the river that ran through campus.
  
  As class started I searched for places to get involved. It was easy to meet new people, as I stood out because of my accent, and people were very interested that I came from Africa and was white. I got asked a ton of (quite frankly) really silly questions, but genuinely loved telling people about South Africa. I appreciated that fact that I was able to proudly represent my country and many of my friends gave me a hard time for being such a proud African. The South African flag hung proudly in my room, and often people would walk past my room, pause, invite themselves inside and would want to know more about my country and myself. I really enjoyed that people were so interested, kind, friendly and approachable – it was an aspect of American culture that I loved.
  
  As I got involved in campus life, I made a solid group of American friends at church. They are some of the best friends that I’ve ever had in my life, and I’ve never felt so loved, included and accepted by people before. I had the opportunity of impacting their lives, as they impacted mine. We shared many good experiences together, and I know many of them will remain friends for life.
  
  I tried to get a taste of American culture by getting involved in as much as I could. I went to football, soccer, baseball and ice hockey games. I attended a camp with other students. I was able to perform music for people on a few occasions. I played various sports and games with other Americans. I also attended a large conference with friends and got the opportunity to travel and see a bit of the United States. I also tried to share my culture with Americans. Trying to teach some of my friends to play cricket resulted in an interesting experience. Baking South African specialties (aka Malva pudding and Milktart) for friends gave them a taste of the country. And making my friends watch ‘Invictus’ and being asked whether Nelson Mandela was the captain of the rugby team resulted in a few laughs.
  
  Although I never felt home-sick, and can honestly say that I never had a “bad day”, I still missed South Africa. I missed the diversity, the people, the landscape, the culture, the languages and the food. Exchange made me realize how radically different the US, and the US ways of doing things are. In some ways westernized South African culture is similar to US Culture, but in other ways it’s very different. Things like social norms or even politeness are different. Whilst I never felt “out” or like a “foreigner”, I did had to adapt my ways of life. For example, I had to use different words for different things. Petrol became Gas, Chips became Fries and Kilometers became miles.
  
  The American academic system is very different from the South African system. Although actual content and teaching style is very similar; assignments, examinations, grading and methodologies differ. I found that Americans embrace technology a lot more than South Africans do. Lecturers would frequently search for “YouTube” videos in class to illustrate a concept. I enjoyed that Audio-Visual aides seemed to be used more. I also found that most the professors seemed more approachable and a lot of support was given to students. If a student was battling, lecturers were consistently more than willing to assist, going beyond what was required of them. I also found that Americans were generally very hard workers who took their academics and work seriously. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed studying finance and economics at a ground zero level – it gave me excellent insight into how the world economic system works and was incredibly interesting.
  
  I also really enjoyed Campus life. There always seemed to be something going on and one was never bored. Other students were extremely hospitable and generous. I was invited to a friend’s house for thanksgiving and Christmas and yet another friend lent me her car more than once. I was blown away by people’s kindness. As far as the actual campus went, the facilities and services available for students were out of this world. I remember being absolutely blown away by the amount of food available on a daily basis to eat. I especially enjoyed eating with friend’s everyday and spending time building friendships. I really enjoyed the social aspect of my exchange experience – and the fact that I met so many people from so many different backgrounds. Living by myself whilst being thrown into a totally foreign environment taught me an unbelievable amount about myself. I know that going on exchange made me a stronger person and built and matured my character.
  
  Overall, I would have to say exchange was the best experiences of my life. I will treasure the friendships and memories made on exchange for the rest of my life, and can honestly say that I don’t regret a minute of it.

• Busiswa Dobe in Drake University (Iowa State, USA )

  Spending the whole fall semester at Drake University was a great experience, I learnt a lot through this period of time not only from American students but also from other international students from all around the world in countries like, Italy, Austria, France, Spain, Malaysia, India, and so on. It was a great experience, the beauty of such diverse country with people all around the globe.

  
  

  I was fascinated by how nice American students were, how supportive was the international office, everyone was truly helpful which I found interesting and passed me a different picture of what America really is compared to what the media says it is. To tell the truth before I went abroad I did not care much about international students in our campus, which made me feel embarrassed when I went to another country and people of that country were very open-hearted, some of them even used their cars to take me to places without expecting anything in return, whenever I needed something they tried their best to help, even the families outside the University community were interested in international students; I had a host family that made me feel like I had a family on that side. I had never been away from my family for that long so having people who supported me this way made me realise that I have to go back home and change my attitude toward international students, that is why this year (2012) at Edgewood campus we are initiating Global Students Association which will include local students and international students so that we can all be united and see the beauty of diversity in our campus.
  
  

  I wish more students from University of Kwa-Zulu Natal or South Africa if I can say, can get this opportunity of a life time, to go to other countries and see things in different perspectives, be exposed to different cultures, broadens their minds and start to think dipper, to see how other countries make it to be successful, help one’s personal growth, expand the knowledge of the world by not only reading in the books and magazines but by being out there touching things you have been seeing on magazines and reading about in books.

  Another thing I found very interesting was student’s hard work, for all the students who are going to America they should get set for it, which is one of Americans values and its normal for them having too much work, not that I was thinking I’m going on a vacation but it was more than what I expected. I was shocked when I read that 65% is a fail, I couldn’t believe it, I was scared and studied really hard and the professors there are really helpful it important to make use of their help whenever you need it. One more vital thing, Participation in class is very much appreciated and there are marks for it, it easy to participate because classes are in small groups.

  All in all I had a great experience in America, although I had home sickness days but I tried my best if not studying be around friends so that I won’t think much about back home. Word of advice to students who are still going there, know more about your country because people would like to know more about your home country, be yourself, make friends and stay away from trouble anything against the law is taken very seriously, remember that you are not only representing yourself or only University but South Africa at large and of cause have fun.