LeadAbroad

In May 2017, I had the privilege of traveling with ninety-eight other college students from across the country on LeadAbroad's Cape Town Direct program. This was a three week study abroad in South Africa where we took life courses, served a local township - Sir Lowry's Pass, and went on countless adventures. Students came from colleges around the nation to come together for the program. After numerous flights and connections, endless car rides, and sleepless hours, we all arrived in Cape Town, South Africa after over twenty-seven hours of travel.

The following three weeks of this trip were ones that I will remember forever and that changed my life in ways I won't always be able to describe. We started our days with a daily "life" course to help us enhance our cultural awareness, international experiences, and personal growth. We completed Gallup's Clifton Strengths Quest to help us better understand our strengths and how we can apply those to our everyday lives. My personal strengths included (from #1 to #5) achiever, focus, futuristic, competition, and individualization. It was through this Strengths Quest program that we were able to begin realizing our most prominent qualities and how to use them effectively.

Along with this, we were encouraged to have deeper conversations, step outside of our comfort zones, and get to know the other students and Cape Town locals. We were able to see a typical South African lifestyle by participating in these tasks.

As noted before, this journey pushed each and every student outside of their comfort zones. Whether we were urged to try new foods, meet new people, or jump out of a plane in the middle of the desert, each and every student grew in ways we will never forget.

I had the privilege to cage dive with Great White Sharks, go on a safari, take an elephant for a "walk", jump out of a plane, shred the sand in the desert, four wheel through some sand dunes, and many more adventures.

Along with this, I had the life-changing opportunity to serve a local township, Sir Lowry's Pass, and learn more about their lifestyle. These children and families are the most humble and loving people I've ever met. We helped them with daily tasks and got to teach the kids in their classrooms. These people left an imprint in my heart that will never go away!

My time in Cape Town opened numerous doors for me. I learned more about myself and was given the opportunity to grow in every aspect of my life. Because of this trip, I say "yes" more than I say no, and take every opportunity that comes my way. Africa left an impact on my life I will never forget and I will make my way back in the near future.