The Hangs

SOUTH

AFRICA durban | scottsburgh | mosselbay

th west cap

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Through my time in South Africa I was given the opportunity to see new places, meet new people, and create new memories. This internship has shaped my perspective of the world and the people that occupy it.

mossel bay

mossel bay

mossel bay

our time here

If there is anything that can be said, without a doubt, it is that you will feel like a local in South Africa the minute you step foot inside the country. It’s a place of abundant friendliness. Their community is welcoming to foreigners, they want nothing more than to teach you about their culture, their food and their traditions. I’ve met many South African’s with backgrounds ranging from distillery owners to music teachers. I have been exposed to much of the culture through my program in Mossel Bay, I’ve also had the opprotunity to learn a few words in Xhosa, the native South African language, while also becoming friends with local South Africans. They’ve taught me not only about their language but also their life experiences and their daily tribulations. From community events, to working alongside the fellow interns, to a week at the Schotia game reserve; I have been able to gain real perspective on where and why people act the way they do.

South Africa not only has amazing people, but a beautiful landscape. Ranging from beaches to deserts to lush forests. I was lucky enough to be vist all of these terrains. Mossel Bay, where we are based, is a beach town and is very beautiful, even in the winter.The differing temperatures and climates are synonymous with the people, every region of South Africa has cultural differences and struggles.

mossel bay

mossel bay

mossel bay

global traveling

As a global traveler, I feel there are a few ground rules you have to learn as soon as you enter a new country. With our program we were given an explicit list of rules to follow regarding the general culture differences. These did not only apply to where you are living but who you are living with.

From the start we caught on quickly the gender relationships between men and women are vastily different than what we are comfortable with in the United States. Even if that only includes walking on the streets at night and withdrawing money from the bank. Being in groups with men and walking alone as a girl mean very different things to the culture here.

Not only is there the culture of just everday trips into town but also focusing specifically on the drinking culture.The ability to smoke inside the bars here is something that the United States hasn’t allowed for at least fifteen years. Not only are you becoming familiar with another person’s way of living you have to consider the people you are traveling with.

mossel bay

mossel bay

cape town

cape town

cape town

the places we’ve seen

This program has given me the opprotunity to travel and see a lot of what South Africa has to offer. Living in Mossel Bay we have had ample time to explore the area. Mossel Bay could be best described as a beach town that even in the winter months is still very beachy. Much of the town is set on hills, leaving all of us with very toned legs at the end of the month. Mossel Bay is within the Garden Route of the western cape, about four hours drive east of Cape Town, one of South Africa’s largest port cities. In Mossel Bay, we spent days out on the boats with the other people in our program, evenings going on sunset trips up to the light house at the point and every meal aroudn the table talking about our days.

Another portion of my time here was spent in Cape Town, a city that sits directly at the base of the mountains, creating a scenery unlike anything I’ve ever known. Table Mountain is one of the largest draws to Cape Town. It’s a flat-topped mountain that overlooks the city. At the top of the mountain there is an entire national park. Cape Town also offers amazing food, parks and, of course, penguins.

Part of my program was designed to be spent on a game reserve, where we spent a week collecting images of wild animals. The Schotia game reserve was an experience that could be described as a once in a lifetime experience. Being feet away from lions, giraffees, and elephants is something few people can say they’ve done.

cape town

cape town

cape town

cape town

cape town

a month is too short

This month, my first month in South Africa, has flown by.

People will tell you over and over but it doesn’t actually hit you until you come to your last few days. All the people I’ve met and the friends I’ve made have changed the way I see the world. After this month, I am switching over to Durban, South Africa where I will continue absorb everything I can about Africa and it’s people. Photo By: Kelly Nguyen