South Africa Exchange: A Great Experience Comes to an End

Posted on March 24, 2010 by admin

As I pack my bags and get ready for the long journey home, I look back on possibly the two greatest months of my life. Every week I did something new and unbelievable. Whether it was climbing mountains, spotting leopards in the Kruger or just chilling with the great friends I made here, I was always having a blast. So now that it is time to go, I can’t help but feel disappointed at how quickly my exchange has passed. It feels as though it was yesterday that I arrived at Saints for the first time. — Julien Miller ’12

As well as having a great time, being here for two months has given me a sense of connection with my South African heritage. My dad’s side of the family is originally from South Africa. Consequently, living here has let me relate to what it must have been like for my dad and grandparents when they lived here.

Overall, my only regret about my experience here is that I’m not staying longer. I will forever treasure the great memories I have of South Africa.

South Africa Inspires in Many Ways

Posted on February 26, 2010 by admin

As my exchange reaches the ¾ mark, I have realized how much South Africa has to offer the world. I hope that during the World Cup people notice how beautiful it is. Last weekend I hiked up the tallest mountains in South Africa, the Drakensberg. As I took a break at the peak of the mountain and took in the beautiful view, I realized how spectacular South Africa is.

People who know me well, know that I have a quite bad fear of heights. This hike required me to address this fear. At a certain stage of the hike, we had to climb chain ladders up the face of a cliff. Standing at the bottom, I thought “there is no way I’m going to climb that,” however, I eventually made my way to the summit. I definitely wasn’t the quickest one up the ladders, but I still made it to the top and for me this was a great achievement. Once I was on the top of the mountain I was really glad: I had climbed the ladders because the view was like nothing I had ever seen.

Last week I also attended a professional rugby game between South African and Australian teams. The atmosphere in the stadium is quite impressive. I think it’s fair to say that rugby fans come second to Habs’ fans. I also noticed how huge rugby players are. I’ve been told that rugby players are the perfect athletes because they have to have endurance and strength at the same time. I can definitely see why this is.

I am now looking forward to my next adventure as we are going on a safari in the Kruger Park this weekend. — Julien Miller ’12

Leaving Kenya with a Heavy Heart

Posted on February 23, 2010 by admin

These last two weeks have been unforgettable. After a tough weekend climbing the Machakos hills, I only spent three days at school. Once school finished on Wednesday, mid-term break began.

I spent 10 hours on the road to Mombasa on a bus with 30 other students. Our final destination was Turtle Bay Beach Club in Malindi. That afternoon my friends and I had already met a couple of teenagers from Britain, and we still keep in touch with them now. The first morning there, we travelled another hour to “Wild Waters,” a water park in Nyali. Most of the older boys thought it would be childish, but to our surprise, we had even more fun than the younger students! There were over a dozen water slides, an arcade, a food-court, and even bumper-cars. It took a while for us to leave. The next morning we checked out what the beach-venders had to sell. Bargaining was the game we had to play, and we played well… I think.

That afternoon we were taken out on a glass-bottomed boat to the marine park. We were able to throw on some goggles and jump in the water with the friendly fish. If you were brave enough, you could go in with some bread, and have the fish swarm you. It was really an amazing site. I was also able to witness my teacher “swim” for the first time.

The next day was a relaxing day for everyone, except me. I woke up early to go scuba diving. After I prepared all of my equipment, the dive master and I set out to Mooch Reef. At this point the ocean floor dropped into the deep blue sea. It was like nothing I had seen before. I spent that day valentines-less, but at least I got a good sleep!

Once I was back at school, it was all about spending the most time possible with all of my friends. I couldn’t imagine never seeing them again. But, the safari in Nairobi National Park (on Thursday) made me feel a lot better. I was able to see giraffe, zebra, buffalo, gazelle, impala, bushbuck, waterbuck, hartebeest, crocodiles, and even some ferocious lions!
The next morning, my P.E. class and I travelled another 4 hours to Mt. Kenya’s “10to4” bike race. We camped for the night and woke up at 5 a.m. to get ready. While everyone else participated in the 35 km race, I participated in Africa’s most distinguished 50 km race. The race was a journey itself and I now believe that if I put my mind to it, I can accomplish anything. This race pushed me to the limit, exploring my boundaries almost like this exchange. As I said before, I wish I didn’t have to leave so soon. Even though I live so far away, Kenya will always have a place in my heart. –Jesse Mikelberg ’11

Kenya Exchange Provides New Perspectives on Daily Life

Posted on February 15, 2010 by admin

One week has passed and I still do not feel any different about my love for this extraordinary place. As you all know, I have been on exchange at Brookhouse for the past couple weeks. This has been the first time for me to go elsewhere and live on my own. At home, my mother did almost all the housework and I was a rather dependent kid. In Canada, I did not have to do laundry, or even daily necessities; such as cleaning my room. From this exchange I have learned to be thoughtful and frugal. Also, everyone around me comes from a different background, yet I do not feel out of place. It is not the color or values held by a person that separates one from another, it is simply the willingness to open up your mind to a different lifestyle. I feel like I have the responsibility to bring this mindset back home. I will help around as much as possible, and inspire my friends to do the same. This has been an unforgettable experience.

On that note…

The best time to learn is when you are young. Studying abroad has helped me to make my own decisions, to develop my own opinions and to build up myself as a person. It has also improved my self-confidence and communication skills. I have become more experienced in dealing with people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and most certainly with different beliefs and values. This will help me to work not only in my homeland, but also on an international level, like communicating with foreigners or even taking a career abroad.

Studying abroad is that necessary experience; one of the most memorable in my life. Although Africa is so far away from where I live, it is now in my heart and closer than ever. I have fallen in love with the people here and I wish I didn’t have to leave so soon. –Jesse Mikelberg ’12

Life Lessons in South Africa

Posted on February 12, 2010 by admin

As of the 13th of February, I will have been here for a full month, and what great month it’s been! I visited a slum of downtown Johannesburg as well as talked with inmates from Leuwkop prison. Both these experiences were very eye-opening. At the prison, we socialized not with villains, but with young men who had mistakes in their lives and were now on the right path to a normal life. I chatted with a couple of guys, all of whom were very open with what crimes they had committed. All these men had very tragic stories to tell, however, one man in particular shocked me with his story. He told me that he had tried to rob a money transfer truck with his friends because he didn’t have enough money to buy the drugs that he was addicted to. He also mentioned to me that he had got someone pregnant and now had a 3-year-old boy waiting for him in Soweto. He explained to me why his life turned into a mess and he told me never to repeat any of the mistakes he had made. This man struck me as a very bright guy, and told me that he was now studying to be an engineer so that he could support his child, when he’s released from jail. This criminal taught me more valuable life lessons than anyone else has. I am now looking forward to my next visit to the prison on the 6th of March.

I also spent this last weekend doing something I had never done before. My host family took me to their home at the Vaal dam. The Vaal dam provides water for the entire Gauteng province, which is the most populated province in South Africa. Every year the Pons family participates in a sailing race around an island in the Vaal. I was lucky enough to join the crew even though I had never sailed before. When we first set out it was explained to me that it sometimes get a bit rough out on the water and that I would always have to be on the look out for swinging sails. Apparently it doesn’t get very rough, when there is no wind… It took us four hours to move about 4 kilometers. However, I still had lots of fun and I’m glad it didn’t get too crazy for my first time as sailing looks quite complicated. — Julien Miller ’12