So looking back on my trip I realized that though school was a big part of my experience I didn’t write much about UCT. So for the students, especially the CIEE students going abroad this fall I decided to write a survival blog on how to maneuver through UCT and some advice to make the most of your trip. First thing I will say is that UCT is a prestigious university in Africa and you do have to put in effort and learn. With that being said, it is important to not overwhelm yourself with classes, this is not like other semesters at Penn State or at UCT. You have an opportunity of a lifetime and you want to take full advantage of it. The next thing to do is go to class and get involved in class discussions even if you do not know much about South Africa. I learned much of what I know about South Africa from class discussions that sometimes veered off from the topic of the day.  Next on the list are the jammie shuttles. You will learn very soon that the shuttle schedule is basically useless and you just have to show up and get on the first one you can find. If  you’re hungry, the place places to go are Higher Taste cuisine on the first floor of Leslie social and on middle campus where you will find the best samosas probably in all of  and Panda. So, about the weather, throw away your umbrella and just learn to love the rain. It rains almost every day and yes it does get cold especially in lecture halls so bring a jersey (jacket).  You have internet quota so use your internet wisely. Take your school ID everywhere because you will use it all the time.  Learn some slang so you can engage more with the ZA students.  Get involved, it will change your life! South Africa is the perfect place to volunteer your services to organizations that you won’t find in the states. CIEE has an amazing volunteer program and the coordinator Earl is probably on my top most favorite people I have met in my 21 years of living. And finally my biggest advice is that you have an open mind and don’t expect too much. Do not compare the academic experience to Penn State. Take it like it’s your first year in college where everything is new and exciting and you are doing it for the first time because, well, you are. I hope you have an amazing five months.

Location: Cape Town, South Africa

So I finally understand the game of Rugby, five months later. After several trips to watch the games at the stadium I’ve grown to even like the game. It’s like football but more brutal, which I can appreciate.

 I think I’m going to keep up with it when I get back to the states. Now soccer on the other hand I have loved all my life so it was so amazing being in a country where the sport is literally everywhere. There are more soccer fields than McDonalds (hard to believe I know!!!). For a special treat CIEE took us to see a soccer game where the Ajax (pronounced ayax) played the pirates and it was AWESOME, mostly because we were in Cape Town stadium built for the 2010 world cup and yes it is more beautiful in person. 

Overall thumbs up for the sports experience. 

Location: Cape Town, South Africa

If you want to see as many CIEE students as possible, all you need to do is go to Old Biscuit Mill (OBM) on a Saturday morning. 

The OBM farmer’s market is open once a week that sells all kinds of foods and clothing and every Saturday we go it is always packed with people come rain or shine. 

You can go there just to eat for the day or to shop for your weekly groceries. I think my favorite part of the mill, besides the free samples and falafel, is that it shows how diverse South Africa really is, from the lady from France who makes the best French health bread, to the South American couple steamin’ up a mean bowl paella. 

 I also love to buy food and just sit on the hay bags and chat with strangers about almost everything. 

Location: Cape Town, South Africa

For our final group outing, our RA’s took us to the region of Bo-Kaap in the city.

 Its right up the street from the business district and as you can see it’s pretty hard to miss.

This area holds much historical value to South Africa. Bo-kaap is a Muslim community consisting of generations of descendents of former slaves brought from eastern Africa to serve the Portuguese rest stop in southern Africa. With their many interactions with different people and languages in Southern Africa, the slaves formed the language which is now known as Afrikaans.  I learned from the people of Bo-kaap that their ancestors were also imprisoned at Robben Island long before it was used as a prison during the time of Apartheid. I enjoyed their welcome and felt their sense of community and it shows through their day to day life. Food, music, and color are a big part of their community. Most of all I enjoyed all their spices and amazing SAMOSAS!!!!

I have literally eaten my body weight in samosas and potato balls!!! I plan on buying about 6 packets of masala spices and samosas spices to bring home. Every year the people continue a tradition started by the slave ancestors where they put colorful cloth over their clothes to not be recognized and sing songs about their owners. Now it has become a huge competition in Bo-Kaap where hundreds of band collectively consisting of thousands of people come together and compete. 

Location: cape Town, South Africa