I signed up for a student exchange program with the University of Cape Town, a decision made with mixed expectations and feelings. Receiving an acceptance letter for a six-month student exchange program was very good to me and turned out to be one of my happiest moments. We were in a group of ten students, but we were not sure of what to expect in South Africa. However, we looked forward to our arrival in Africa with ours structured project being understanding the HIV/AIDS menace in the slums of South Africa.
Our arrival at the University of Cape Town was one of our best experiences. We had to stick to our plan and we started immediately on the exploration of the HIV/AIDS menace and the disparities that are associated with the condition. With the guidance of our supervisor, we were able to visit different slums in order to get firsthand experience of the challenges facing HIV/AIDS patients. The historical injustices in South Africa were portrayed by the cultural and ethnical composition of the slums. This was exhibited by the fact that most of the occupants in the slums and the population with HIV/AIDS was dominated by the blacks.
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The student exchange program had a large influence in various aspects related to our educational, cultural and social perspectives. Education was the main objective of advancing the exchange program. This is because this experience equipped me with multifaceted and alternative approaches to learning. One of the major revelations that came out of the international educational initiative was the understanding of the communal and cultural orientations in South Africa. On the other hand, I was able to enhance my analytical skills. This is because we were able to critically analyze the data that we collected from the slums and made inferences based on the facts. This promoted my global knowledge on issues related to HIV/AIDS because this was my first international learning experience.
On a personal level, the exchange program presented a perfect opportunity for personal development. This is because I was able to meet people from different cultures. Our collaborative interaction with these people boosted my self-esteem. In the field, we encountered various challenges. The most common include facing some resistance from some victims, but my ability to handle issues outside the familiar support network has enabled to have a heightened social poise. The host family and students enabled me to expand my social contacts. The friendship and relationship that we created assisted me to appreciate various cultures. Therefore, the completion of the six-month student exchange program was the beginning of a new person in my character. This is because the experience taught me various values such as having focus on goals and promoted my ability to make informed decisions. This program also gave me the chance to learn local South African languages and traditional cultures.
The exchange program has various long-term implications. This is because my participation has enhanced my practical experience. As a result, it has strengthened my professional resume, and thus I am able to acquire part-time jobs while out of session. Most employers recognize an individual’s ability to live in new places and adapt to new cultures. My social skilled have improved significantly. This is because I am able to make friends in different environments, an experience I gained through my need to communicate with people outside my comfort zone. The completion of the six-month program has also enhanced my local interaction networks. This is because I am able to embrace flexibility in various circumstances while maintaining focus on the social changes.
