Sarah's farewell to her Cape Town co-educators

Emily, Vernon, Sarah, Allie at Farewell dinner

So today is April 27th. It's the day that sounded light years away back in January. I'm currently sitting in the common room at Loch. . . and the house is so quiet and empty! I'm still trying to process the fact that about three hours ago I cried and hugged and waved goodbye to the strangers who have become family. This semester has flown by. I wish there was some way I could sum it up . . . some way to tell you all the stories. But there simply isn't (I'll apologize now for the listing). There's been the exciting checklist of activities: climb Table Mountain, go black water tubing, hand-feed an elephant, ride an ostrich, walk through the bush at Krugar, tour Joburg, explore Langebaan, eat at Die Strandloper . . . But then Cape Town has been so much more. 

I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunities the program has offered us: to meet young people from all over Africa; to have frank discussions on human rights; to share jazz and community with Gus and the band; to sample countless cuisines; to have safe space to talk about the difficult issues of race, class, and gender; to better understand the tumultuous history of apartheid and its living legacy; to explore the realm of NGOs; to step foot in historical places across the country; to hear tour guides who've lived through the history they preach; to intern at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC); to form a close-knit community of UConn peers. And then there's been those odds and ends . . . I wrote, a while back, that I realized it was those small interactions that were making the trip. Now I can only agree more vehemently. It's been the way in which I've been welcomed into strangers' homes, the frequency that I've had meaningful chats with a taxi driver, those moments of laughter with my peers, the hugs I am greeted with each morning at the IEC. The cultural attitude here is infectious. If anything, I want to always carry a piece of Ubuntu with me and the open, genuine, caring atmosphere it creates. I'm a bit of a busy body, and I've learned how to relax on this trip. I want to that back as well, because quiet moments are so often underestimated. I want to take back my new perspectives and our meaningful classroom discussions. I want to take back the realization that when you hope to accomplish something, you need simply start . . . it's at least worth a try. 

Just the other day I was shopping around at Old Biscuit Mill for the last time. I noticed a plaque that read, "When was the last time you did something for the first time?" I suddenly realized that I could answer that easily and abundantly. This trip has been a lot about firsts. Add "in Cape Town" to any activity and it could be considered a first for that matter! But really, this trip has been very much about growth - growth in outlook, in friendships, in communication skills, in adaptability, in music appreciation, in empathy, in social awareness, in historical knowledge, in awe for nature's beauty, in personal openness, and yes, even in taste for fine wine. After mildly debating, I decided to buy that plaque because I never want to forget its message. Sometimes its necessary to step into what David calls the "Ohh shit!" zone (in other words, out of one's comfort zone). There's something magical about firsts. And that magic has no doubt added its sparkle to my experiences in Cape Town. But even back at home, I want to remember that firsts are achievable. There's always more to learn, always new opportunities to challenge oneself. Even as I grow older, I want to remember that firsts needn't disappear with age. Even in 30 years, I aspire to answer the plaque's question readily. 

I'll be in Cape Town now for about two more weeks. I leave on May 12th and I'm thrilled to continue at the IEC until then. With elections on May 7th, it's crunch time! The office is buzzing - today we moved out of the office and into the results center in preparation for the big day. I found out where I'll be sitting come election day and precisely the work I'll be doing. I hope that I can contribute to the elections in some meaningful way, but also know that I'll have a lot to learn. [Common theme during this trip] In the meantime, here's to hoping that every one of my fellow co-educators got home safely (and David - enjoy backpacking)! I miss you all. And here's wishing the best for the South African National Provincial Elections of 2014. 

When I leave in two weeks, I hope to make others feel as welcome as I've been made to feel in Cape Town. Regardless of circumstance, I hope to make others feel just as at home.