Lauren finds this study abroad program is all about the people

One thing that has become really clear to me over the past couple weeks, is that this study abroad program is going to be all about the people. The scenery is beautiful, the food is fantastic, but it is the people that make Cape Town truly special.

               

Last weekend, Vernon invited us all over to his house for a brai (which is the South African word for a barbeque). Before we started eating all of the food (which, by the way, was delicious), we stood around the table and all held hands. Vernon told us that he now considered us all to be an integral part of his own family. That really struck me, because I realized how important community is to the people of Cape Town. Everywhere we go, people have been willing to help us out, ask us if we are enjoying Cape Town so far, and be genuinely friendly and caring.

               

Other study abroad programs are about visiting landmarks and enjoying the scenery, which is obviously really important and major part of our trip as well, but I am extremely grateful that we have been given the opportunity to experience a different side of Cape Town and really see the importance of community for ourselves. Last week, for instance, we went to Marita’s friend’s house, named Marianna, to listen to some local artists play music. It was part of a program called “Bringing Music/Arts/Culture to the Community". We all packed a picnic, sat on cushions in Marianna’s garage with a bunch of her friends and people from the community, and listened to really fun jazz. I mean, what other study abroad program gets to do that? What other program gives students the opportunity to meet such amazing people and truly experience a new way of life?

Lauren at the Bringing Music/Arts/Culture to the Community performance at Marianna's

Even at my internship, I am going to be working with and meeting lots of people. For one thing, the Treatment ActionCampaign office is located right in the heart of Khayelitsha, one of the largest townships, where about 800,000 people live. I am also really excited about working with Treatment Action Campaign because they are experts in community mobilization. Already, on my first day at my internship, I went to a community meeting about the lack of police response in Khayelitsha. TAC is one of the major organizations involved in the formation of this commission, and hundreds of people from the community came to listen to testimonies and become involved. I am so excited to meet more people, learn about community mobilization, and experience more of the beautiful Cape Town.