Minibus

In America we are taught not to get into big white vans when men are whistling at you, in South Africa this is the preferred mode of transportation. The vans known as Minibuses take you down the main road which all main stores and attractions are based from. We are all packed in like sardines and wondering how the driver was issued a license.  Today on the way to the Two Oceans aquarium in Cape Town we were lucky enough to have a hip driver. I took a little video but I missed the fee collector dancing. It was great :) 

I'm here to study? almost forgot

College is college no matter where you are in the world. The professor stands in the front and lectures monotonously for about an hour while the students stare back blank faced. It’s like this in Santa Barbara and it’s like this in Cape Town. 

Today was my first day of classes at UCT.  It started out early, my first class being at 8am.  Like Santa Barbara, math and science courses are often the earliest ones. I managed to catch the “Jammie” (the school bus) at 7:30am. I wasn’t sure where the stop was so I just followed all the people with book bags. Then like a typical foreigner I asked if this was how to get to UCT to the next person I saw. They responded with a polite “yes” but a look that inferred “DUH”.  

The Jammie took me to upper campus and my day began.  

A few things I noticed about UCT that differ from home...

1. Everyone knows everyone. A lot of the students take the same courses as their classmates all 3 years, it’s similar to high school in that way.  So I felt like I stuck out a lot, most of my classes have very few or no international students. It will be fun to meet and befriend all the Capetonians while I’m here. For one of my classes I actually have to do research with 4-5 other students and give a presentation. 
2. Everything is paper based, online registration doesn’t happen.  On my registration form I replaced one “3” in a course code with a “1”. Rather than a quick switch online I have to go find my professor, hope he is in his office, and have him sign a form.
3. Doors aren’t labeled push or pull. For some odd reason I’ve been pulling push doors and pushing pull doors constantly. It’s getting ridiculous haha
4. Campus is on a mountain.  The campus is beautiful, might even give Santa Barbara a run for its money.  But there are SO many stairs. I am going to miss biking to class.
5. Books are FREE. What a concept. UCT believes in an equal playing field for all. Personally I’ve known people who couldn’t buy their books until their next paycheck or financial aid went through. This can really put people behind.

This might be my last entry about school, its pretty generic.  South Africa has so much more to offer in culture and natural beauty, and that is defiantly why I choose here to study. 

                                                   On our way to Cape of Good Hope, Dutch Buildings

                                                      Cape of Good Hope with people from my house

                                                     Singing at Ida Coopers house

Welcome to Cape Town!

I’ve now been in Cape Town, South Africa for almost a week after 30+ hour travel time. This is my first time leaving the US (except for Mexico which is so close I don’t count it) and it has been a big step. After talking to other international students I realize I haven’t seen much of the world compared to them, I’m expecting culture shock to hit me pretty soon.  

Let me start with the South African accent....sexy. Boy did I choose a great place to go, it fun just listen to locals talk.  In places outside the University setting it can be hard to understand, for example in the very rural townships where a good english program is rare.  They also use quite a bit of slang here...

bru= bro, and it is not condescending. what a concept! 

braii= barbecue, and gas is a big no no here

robots= stoplights. cute right?

globe= light bulb. This one was pretty confusing during a conversation 

There are 11 national languages in SA so there is a lot to listen to and learn. I want to come back with a few words in Xhosa, otherwise known as the “clicking language”.

Now onto my new crib. I live in an old bed and breakfast, the old Charlton Hotel.  There is 20 rooms, but we only have 18 people in the whole house.  The place has a very old feel which is reflected by our lack of internet and testy electrical system. Our house has 2 large gates and a night security guard, Fariki (sp) to help us feel safe. South Africa, as you may have guessed, has a lot of crime. Mainly muggings and burgulry. Fariki was the one who tried to warn us with our first encounter with our local men in blue...

On Monday night my new housemates and I were having a cozy night in the house playing games and getting to know each other when hoards of other internationals came over. We had all heard this humor of a party at the “big house” and apparently that’s us.  So the party arrived, and our older neighbor called the cops for a noise complaint.  The place was cleared out rather quickly.  We had no music, no yelling, just conversation of 50 or so people. 

This week has been orientation and classes start soon. I’ve seen a lot of South Africa so far from the ritzy shops at the Waterfront, to the extreme poverty of the townships. I’m excited to be immersed in this culture, talk to locals, and experience as much as I can while I’m here.

 BTW...there are only two wires that connect the WHOLE content of Africa to the internet. Therefore, internet is scarce and expensive compared to the states. Something to get used to