An Unforgettable Experience in South Africa

Posted on February 18, 2016 by admin

My stay in South Africa has been one of the best experiences of my life. The people here have been very welcoming to me and have made my stay extremely memorable.

The school I am attending is St. Stithians College. The size of the school is astronomical and they are very strong in sports. Teachers are very strict and it is extremely formal. One must stand behind the chair, until a teacher greets you. The biggest difference is their school sprit. Not to say that LCC does not have spirit, but at sporting events people are much more “into the game”. Many more people attend the games and they sing school chants during these events. People are required to watch the senior team of their sport play, which leads to having many in attendance.

I have made many memories and unforgettable friendships at this school. While here, I have seen all of the “big five” animals, I have been to the site where the first traces of mankind have been recorded, I have played with, fed and touched elephants, tigers and lions.

This experience has also has put into perspective how fortunate we all are to have what we have. Many people here live on eight dollars a week. For many people, it is a dream to come to Canada or the United States because of the amount of opportunity, and this trip has really made me realize how fortunate I am to come from Canada. This has been the most unforgettable experience for me and I have leaned a lot.

– Cedric Brière ’18, Exchange Student from St. Stithians College

Exploring South African Culture

Posted on February 17, 2016 by admin

Dahlia_Kahn3 The first day I arrived in South Africa was so exciting and nerve-racking. I had just gotten off of a 15-hour flight to go and meet my new exchange. I was greeted with a very warm welcome from Tatum, my exchange, and her mother, Debbie. We had driven home in the boiling hot weather, just after attending the school’s open house. It gave me a chance to see what the school was like and understand how a few things work. We arrived at home in no time, where I was greeted with balloons and posters wishing me a great stay while I’m here.

The next day I was very jet lagged, but managed to take on the day. I was taken around the neighbourhood and shown multiple parks, houses and even a few different birds. including the Hadada. For dinner, I tried a South African sausage called Boerewors, which was quite delicious. It had been a long day and I needed to get some rest seeing that the next day was my first day of school. School started at 7:30 am which is around when I normally get downstairs in the morning in Montreal. We had to wake up at 5:30 am and leave the house by 6:30 am. Once we arrived, I was welcomed and it felt as though everyone was my friend. The day consisted of seven subjects, one of which was Afrikaans. Although it was interesting to listen to, it was very hard to follow and understand. St. Stithians College is also different due to the fact that it is an all girls’ school and most of their hallways and lunch zones are outside (you are responsible for packing your own lunch). It’s so nice to be able to sit outside in the sun and enjoy the weather, unlike how it’s cold and snowy in Montreal. After school their are multiple sports options including running, swimming, squash, etc. I decided I would do Saint Striders, which is running.

The school is a Christian Methodist Church, which means that on every Tuesday we go to chapel. It was the very first time I was attending any form of church and it was really interesting. There were beautiful stained glass windows and a giant organ. Once everyone was seated, a choir sang and it was beautiful. I’m looking forward to hearing them sing again.

– Dahlia Kahn ‘18, Exchange Student at St. Stithians College

Échange en Afrique du Sud – Journal #6: Je dis à la prochaine !

Posted on March 18, 2015 by admin

Mes deux dernières semaines à Joburg étaient plutôt calmes. Le dimanche dernier, je suis allé visiter un centre d’apprentissage de culture africaine appelée « Lesedi, » composée de quatre groupes de la région : les Zulu, les Xhosa, les Basotho et les Pedi. Là, j’ai exploré des répliques des villages typiques de ces clans : leurs maisons, leurs cuisines, où ils garderaient leurs animaux et leur nourriture et ce qu’ils portent en tant que vêtements. Le savais-tu que pour s’épouser, un homme zulu devrait acheter sa femme pour 11 vaches ? Pour le mettre en contexte, une seule vache coûte environ R10 000, ce qui équivaut à $1100 ! Donc, selon leur culture, une seule femme coûte environ $12 100 et, parfois, un homme souhaite avoir plusieurs femmes à la fois ! À la fin de la visite, les guides ont fait une petite spectacle de danse pour nous, en nous montrant les styles de danse différents de chaque tribu.

Lundi, avant d’embarquer sur l’avion, je suis allé à Zandspruit, un bidonville où j’ai fait la connaissance d’une jeune femme qui essaie de commencer sa propre garderie pour les enfants du quartier. Elle avait la difficulté, par exemple, car un de ses enfants de six ans a été frappé par une auto et est mort il y a une semaine. Ce n’était pas sa faute, bien sûr (l’enfant n’était toujours pas sa responsabilité), mais le gouvernement la harcelée.

Mon temps ici en Afrique du Sud s’est écroulé très rapidement. Je n’oublierais jamais l’expérience que j’y ai vécue. Elle m’a montré que chez moi au Canada, c’est comme Disney. Notre monde est magnifique, voire dénué de tout problème quand on la compare à celle du peuple sud-africain. Les entraves qu’ils doivent vivre avec nous donnent beaucoup à réfléchir. Bref, je me sens encore plus chanceux qu’avant mon départ. De toute façon, leur pays est bien charmant et leur culture, avenante et accueillante. Je suis triste de partir, mais j’ai hâte d’y retourner un jour !

Merci, l’Afrique du Sud ! –Adam Vandenbussche ’17

Abby’s Idayari: Canadian-Zulu Girl Bids a Tearful Farewell to South Africa

Posted on February 18, 2015 by admin

This will be my last diary entry before I begin my journey back home to our merciless Montreal arctic weather. I can’t believe how fast the past six weeks have gone by. I have met the most wonderful people and I have experienced so much. Let me tell you about my last few days here in Johannesburg.

Lion Park

On Friday, I went to Lion Park along with LCC’s Adam Vandenbussche ’17. There, I had the opportunity to hold and feed some animals. I started off with a giraffe, whose head, according to a comment I got on Facebook, “was bigger than my entire body.” I then decided to feed the ostriches. Bad idea! Not only did the ostriches attempt to draw blood as they pecked at my hand for the food, but they cornered me and tried to attack when I ran out of food! Finally, before going on a lion-cheetah drive, I got to actually sit next to and pet a baby lion! The baby and its parents were sleeping and I was allowed to pet it and take pictures; I can honestly say that it was one of the most terrifying yet adventurous moments in my life!

LeSedi

Over the weekend, I visited LeSedi, an African cultural center. There, I was given a tour of four cultural groups of Africa: Zulu, Pedi, Xhosa and Sotho. During our visit of each group, we learned more about their village, culture, people as well as their tools. We also discovered more about their way of life such as how to greet them (“Sahobona” in Zulu). Interesting fact: in order to marry a Zulu woman, you must pay her family 11 cows! (Relax dad – this Canadian-Zulu girl is just reporting the facts and has no plan to marry soon!) Finally, after the tour, we witnessed a dancing and singing performance just for us! I had a fantastic time at LeSedi. The village was vibrant with color and designs and there were an abundance of intriguing hand-made artifacts.

Squatter Camp

After our visit at LeSedi, I was taken to one of the biggest squatter camps in the area. Being exposed first hand to such poverty was a moving experience. The camp is filled with small, underdeveloped houses, tents and other forms of shelter. I got to walk around and witness the devastating conditions under which the residents must live.

Surprise!

Finally, on Sunday, I was thrown a goodbye party by Rodina and twenty of my new friends! We had a phenomenal time reminiscing about my past six weeks at Saint Stithians and how much fun we all had together.

Zulu Word of the Week: “Abangane” means a friend

Final Words: What this exchange has meant to me…

Although I am excited to see my friends and family back in Montreal, I will truly miss South Africa. There are no words in the world that can describe how I am feeling. I have only been here for six weeks yet I feel as though it is my home; I credit my friends here for this feeling. They made me feel as though I was welcome the second I walked into the school. They took the time to introduce themselves and help me when I was lost (which was a lot!)

It was not easy for me to leave my home and my family in January. I had never lived by myself, let alone with another family. The Ayayas have made this experience so enjoyable for me. I especially want to thank Rodina’s parents for everything they have done. I am happy to have gained a new family. I have become very close to Rodina and I cannot wait to introduce her to everyone at LCC.

People may never fully understand what a great time I had in South Africa; when asked about my trip, I hope I don’t simply blurt out “it was great!” I hope I can communicate to others how much this experience has meant to me. It’s been a great journey. I am coming home different and independent. Yours truly, Canadian-Zulu girl.

Abby Shine ’17 Exchange Student at St Stithians Girls’ College

Abby’s Idayari: Week 4 – Canadian-Zulu Girl on Safari!

Posted on February 11, 2015 by admin

At last! The moment I had long waited for: this weekend, I experienced a zoo like no other, as I went on my first Safari!

Mabalingue Game Reserve

The Reserve is located approximately one hour from Johannesburg. However, because of heavy traffic, we ended up travelling for four hours. On the bright side, this was actually good; the game reserve had what they call “low shading.” Low shading is where the government turns off the electricity for a certain period of time. So, rather than having arrived on time and living without electricity for hours, we arrived with only thirty minutes of “low shading” left. During those thirty minutes, however, my psychotic fear of the dark haunted me. You will be happy to know that our lodge was the only one that was illuminated thanks to my five flashlights (Yes, I travel with five flashlights!)

Day 1

The first day was amazing! We woke up in our cabin when a warthog began to knock on our door. With the help of strong African coffee, my host family and I set off at the crack of dawn to the Bush. We went in our own car which was clever since, not only did we get to decide where to go, but also, I got to stand up so my head was sticking out of the car’s sun roof in order to take spectacular photos. That day, I saw several impalas, zebras, monkeys, giraffes, birds and even poisonous trees. I felt as if I was living amongst the animals. At one point, we saw a group of ostriches, which were extremely rude; they refused to move out of the middle of road! Suddenly, the “daddy” ostrich came out of nowhere. It was enormous! He reminded us that they own the roads and to be patient around them.

Day 2

The next day was a blazing 40 degrees Celsius; we surely thought that the animals would have all died. Luckily, they didn’t! With my Canon camera and my sunblock, we went with a tour guide to look for “the Big Five”. The tour guide took us to an area with lions. There, I got to see a baby cub that played with us, a female lion who exercised in front of us and, finally, a male lion who slept the entire time (typical males!) It was truly fantastic! After the tour, we decided to look for the “Big Five” one last time; this was a bad idea. Not only did I burn (for the hundredth time), but we also found ourselves on a 4×4 road with several rain-holes. Our car, a family-sized-Honda-like-car, in the end, was completely drenched in mud and went berserk; it would not stop beeping, telling us that something (a branch) was too close. The animals were clearly trying to punish us for having spotted them!

Zulu Word of the Week: “Izilwanes” means animals

Community Service

This week, I was invited to visit a school in downtown Johannesburg. I was told I would help teach a class with grade two children. My little sister, Gabby, is in grade two, so I thought I knew at what level the children would be at. This was a moving, eye-opening experience. The school was very small, with less than 100 students, who were mostly orphans. I was astonished when I discovered that they could barely do basic adding and subtracting. This experience made me realize that not everyone is as fortunate as we are at LCC. In fact, some of the children had to share their only pen!

I cannot believe that I have been here for more than a month. I am so grateful for all my experiences and adventures. Next up…LeSedi! – Abby Shine ’17, Exchange Student at St Stithians Girls’ College