Hello! I am about to leave for Durban, South Africa, to participate in a School of International Training Community Health and Social Policy program, for spring semester. I hope you enjoy reading about my adventures in South Africa! Until then, here are some pre-departure and mid-travel thoughts:
I just left the Northwest where I tried to spend as much time in the forests and mountains as possible.
Grand Island, OR
Near the Columbia Gorge
That being said, I can’t wait for some sunshine and a change in scenery! I’ve been taking with alums of my study abroad program, and the more I hear the more I can’t wait to get to South Africa.
The pre-departure paperwork, shopping, reading, and organizing has been so extensive, I can hardly believe I have finally departed! Favorite preparatory item of the week: a flashlight for my homestay family. It winds-up to charge, so it never needs batteries!
I was anxious to leave, worrying that I brought too little, too much, forgot something, unsure about what will happen in South Africa, exc. But after a day of traveling, let me assure you, I did not bring too little. One day of lugging my 50 lb suitcase and too-heavy-for-its-size carry on has already been a test to my coordination and my ability to maneuver myself a crowd. I am about to get a lot of practice.
At the moment I feel as though I couldn’t possibly know enough to be ready for what I’m about to experience, but I am also very excited! I’ve never lived for an extended period of time in a large city, a place where I am a minority or where few people have life-experiences fairly relatable to my own.
On other news, I’m now an omnivore! I had my first steak last week. I’ve started eating meat because it will be very difficult to be vegetarian in SA.
Anyway, if you are at all interested in South Africa, public health, studying abroad, or have questions for me about something I write or anything else, send me an email hratner@pugetsound.edu. I would love to hear from you!
Mt. Hood
Oregon Coast