Some of the first memories in South Africa

So, hello all...or should I say...Sanibonani!! :) This is my first blog entry here in South Africa. I decided to start a blog, because I know I will experience so many new things and have such exciting memories that its a must that I capture them. I invite you to read about my life here in South Africa for the next 3 and a half months.

Right now, I am in Pietermaritzburg, but I have been in South Africa for four days now. We are a group of 53 students, including me, which is the biggest group that has ever come here. It's pretty crazy, because we're always together! :) But it's a good thing. The first three days we spent in Johannesburg. We toured Soweto, which is a black township, and many historic spots in the township, including the Apartheid Museum and the Mandela Exhibition. Both places were such great learning experiences. The white supremacy and segregation during the Apartheid time effected millions of people. For me, it was intense to learn about and very eye-opening. To be honest, it made me wonder why such a horrible event would happen to such wonderful people.

One significant thing that stuck out to me was the category of different people groups at that time: Whites, Blacks, Colored, and Indians/Asians. This concept is quite different to me even more, because I was told that I don't fit in any one of those groups, because they consider Chinese as Asian and most people here think I am Chinese. The real interesting fact about this time period is that people who were once black became colored and people who were Asian became white and people who were colored became black and all different combinations. Depending on what people group you were in was what determined what kind of privilege and power you had. Two very important and significant words during that time. The Mandela Exhibition at first was a little overwhelming because it had alot of information, but Mandela was a great man who was a true advocate for his people. (We also got to pass by the Mandela House).
We also got to visit one of largest Catholic churches in Jo-burg. It was really nice, and one cool thing was that even Bill Clinton had visited it before. It also was one of the safe zones when the riots broke out in Soweto, because the police had shot a young boy.

When we got to Pietermaritzburg (PMB), which is in the province of Kwazulu-Natal, it was a little overwhelming for me at first but the surroundings were gorgeous...everything in sight is green! Oh...and there are monkeys running around everywhere!!! :) My room is a little small, but I am adjusting, but I have a roommate who is a sweetheart and a real encouragement.

Today we also had the first day of class, but most of it was just orientation, which was still exciting! Like for example I learned that Africa has the Big Five: Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo, and Elephant! Many of which I will see...but I'm not sure yet which ones! :) Every time they talk about all the plans they have in store for us I get more and more excited! We also met our nursing professors Wendy and Glenda, who seem really nice. I am excited to learn from their knowledge. For nursing classes, I am taking Community Health Nursing, Nurisng Ethics, and Nursing Research. For the other classes, I am taking The History and Culture of South Africa and the Principles of Community Engagement. We start clinical on Thursday, and I am really excited!

The people are really nice here and very hospitable. For example, we have three huge meals a day and two tea times...with muffins! Yes....tea time!! :) We are also here with another group, they are a youth group dance team called Foxfire, and they are really fun too. The sense of time here is way laid back, which is something different for me, becuase I am so used to planning every single day and every single minute! :) But as they say....TIA....This is Africa. So until next time.....

Miss you all,
Chels