Reflections and Interactions

This trip has surpassed my expectations and exceeded anything I ever thought was possible. Who would have thought I would ever be in South Africa, climbing Table Mountain, visiting Nelson Mandela’s cell on Robben Island, seeing the indigenous penguins or any of the other awesome experiences we have done thus far. I have learned so much about myself as well as the world around me. Cape Town is so alive with energy and joy but yet; it does not have the same ‘time is money’ mentality you would expect from a city this size in the States. People here enjoy life and enjoy telling others their stories – discussions of races and the apartheid past are not taboo but common points of discussion. I have often sat down in the hotel bar late at night with friends just to talk to the staff and to hear their stories. One bartender by the name Simba (it seems like everyone here is named Simba) came to Cape Town from Zimbabwe in hopes of having a better life. Everybody here is eager to share their narratives and to ask questions of what life is really like in America. Since we are all college students, we often get asked, “Is college really like how they show it in movies?” (which depends on who you ask)

I have been shocked at the level of American influence not only in the city center but also in the townships. I never fully realized what it meant to be a global company until I saw Coke’s logo pasted on every imaginable surface in the townships. How and why are they advertising their products to people who live in shacks? For that matter, why are the children in the townships singing songs like Shots by LMFAO? The American culture has spread to literally every corner of the globe. This is not to say that globalization is a negative thing; I am just concerned about which messages have come through louder than others. I hope that my conversations and actions have helped to change people’s opinions about Americans so that they don’t think we party all the time, drink Coke and eat at KFC and MacDonald’s (both of which are located on every street corner; the equivalent of Starbucks back home). Overall, this has been a very eye opening experience which is making a lasting impact on my life. Thanks to all of you who made this trip possible for my fellow Global Leaders and me with a special thanks to my mom, dad and brother who sacrificed so much for me to be here!!

Rachel Dobson