It’s my final blog post (sigh).
Cape Town has been unlike anywhere I have ever been. I am so grateful for all of the incredible sights I was able to experience: Lion’s Head hovering over Sea Point (I just learned today that it is Lion’s Head and not Table Mountain, lol), the colorful streets of Bo-Kaap, the lively V&A Waterfront, and, of course, the countless slices of Biscoff cheesecake that easily became a staple of my time here.
But years from now, when I hear the words Cape Town, I don’t think those will be the first things that come to mind. I’ll remember the people.
From the moment I arrived, I was almost always greeted with a smile. The hotel staff wishing us a good morning or wishing us a nice time out on the weekend. The complete strangers who welcomed us into conversation. I was constantly reminded of how warm and kind people can be.
I’ll remember meeting and working with the illustrious Shirley Gunn. Her bold personality was intimidating at first. As I spent more time with her, it became clear that her work is driven by a deep passion and commitment to her community. Her passion was contagious, and I found it incredibly inspiring.
I’ll remember Sindi, whose kindness and strength left a lasting impression on me. It is difficult to put into words the courage it takes to repeatedly share one of the most painful chapters of your life so that others may learn from it. I will always be grateful that she trusted us enough to let us listen.
And then there was my own little family. Somewhere along the way, the thirteen of us stopped feeling like classmates and started feeling like siblings. It never quite felt right unless everyone was together. Whether it was family dinners, spontaneous weekend adventures, those superrr long bus rides, or simply sitting together in Conference Room 2 after a long day, I wanted us to experience everything as a group. New friendships were formed, and old friendships that once existed from a distance grew into relationships I know will last long after this program ends.
I also had the privilege of learning from two incredible educators whose humor and encouragement made every day, learning or not, more enjoyable.
My first study abroad experience was more than a success. It reminded me that the most memorable part of traveling is not simply seeing a new place—it’s allowing the people you meet there to change you.
Love,
Sekai