It was 2020. The COVID pandemic was at its height, and in-person classes turned into online Zoom meetings. During one of my first Zoom classes, I vividly remember my 8th grade science teacher asking everyone in our class to place a pin on a virtual map for our daily icebreaker, marking a part of the world we dreamed of visiting. Soon after, small dots began to appear across Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, North America, and even Antarctica. Yet not a single pin had been placed anywhere on the African continent.
After class had ended, I couldn’t stop wondering why. Why did a class of 30 students not see a single destination on the continent worth traveling to? No country worth dreaming about? In my attempt to be “different,” I decided to place my pin on South Africa. Little did I know I would be studying abroad there 6 years later.
Even though I may no longer be in the 8th grade, most things still feel the same. Sure, Afrobeats has become one of the most popular music genres, and trying African food has become a trend. Yet, I still find myself asking the same question over and over again: Why is Africa so frequently overlooked and misunderstood?
Too often, Africa is only seen as a land of corruption and poverty. It is so much more than that. Africa is a CONTINENT, not a country. Home to 54 diverse nations, each with its own cultural practices and traditions. Filled with some of the world’s most brilliant minds whose lights are often dimmed due to a lack of access and opportunity.
Being in South Africa for the past few weeks has allowed me to look beyond stereotypes and see Africa for what it truly is: a continent rich in resilience, diversity, and untapped potential. I can’t wait to continue exploring more of this beautiful continent in the years to come.