A study abroad like no other.

My passion for traveling.

Traveling has been a passion since I was a little kid. I have always wanted to go see everywhere and do everything this world has to offer. There are so many incredible countries and cities in this world. I was determined to see them all.

When I heard I would be able to go to Chicago as a requirement for school I was excited since it was a city top on my list to visit. I would never have known then what that first time in Chicago would lead to when it came to making travel dreams come true.

I knew before I went to my first residency in Chicago that my school had a study abroad program to South Africa. I also knew I desperately wanted to be accepted into it.

During that first residency the professors went over the three different study abroad programs that were offered. When they began to talk about the different things that could be in the itinerary for South Africa it took everything in me to not jump up and down excited like a little kid.

I immediately applied for the study abroad after that. It did not matter to me that I would probably not know anyone I would be on the trip with before going to an entirely different and new country. It did not matter to me that taking the course that came with it meant I would be a term behind. The cost did not even matter to me. All that mattered to me was being able to achieve a dream Id had since I was a kid: going on an African safari.

Itinerary

It felt like months before I finally started my course that would teach me all about South African culture. I was so excited to learn about this amazing country and to see my itinerary for the trip. When I received my daily itinerary, I was grinning from ear to ear. I immediately sent it to all my family. I was going on a real safari! I felt like a little kid being told they could go to Disney world for the first time. It was a dream Id had since I was a kid. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a passion and love for animals. This was completely not expected but I looked forward to the most.

Johannesburg

When we arrived in Johannesburg we were met with an amazing Liaison and tour guide. They gave us so much information and ideas of where to go on our free time. Our time in Johannesburg was completely booked up until dinner time. We went on a tour of the city and a tour of Soweto. The academic places we went to were amazing with the most welcoming people I have ever met.

This is where I also got to go on Safari and pet a lion cub. In that park I also was able to feed and pet this gorgeous and incredibly sweet giraffe. Our stay in Johannesburg was perfect. We were so immersed in the culture from a drum lesson to being able to eat some of the local food it was planned so perfectly. I will always be grateful to my school for the experiences I had there.

Cape Town

I fell in love with Cape town, ill say that first. It is a beautiful fishing village with so much more to offer. We really had free reign in Cape town with only one academic site and one cultural site to visit. Having been with these amazing women in my class for a week already it was easy to talk and text and see who wanted to go where. We really made the most of our time too and every minute was accounted for.

We went to the top of the mountain together and then to see the beautiful South African penguins. Penguins in Africa? So weird to think of right but honestly it was such a natural thing to see. The ones I remember the most were the chin strap penguins. They were on an inlet on the sand and making so much noise, but you could just stare at them for hours. Then our amazing liaison told us about this excursion the red hop on and hop off bus can take you too which was watching the sun set over the top of the mountain. We went to it after seeing the penguins and It was breathtaking. Not only was it hard to sit because you felt like you may fall but the sun setting looked like it was over the ocean not clouds. It was one of my favorite activities we got to do there.

A fun activity was going to one of Cape towns wineries. It was a little rainy that day but that did not bother us. The first thing we noticed was the loo with a view. Literally what the sign said. It was the bathroom with clear glass that looked out on the whole vineyard. Some of my friends were intimidated, could people see you in there? but I did not care and went to use it; I mean once you’re drinking are you really going to wonder if someone can see in. No one could see you but at the right angle I could see the girls. It was such an interesting idea and fun. One of the best parts of the whole wine tasting experience was the fact that it took place in this glass square overlooking the whole vineyard. It was incredible to get to drink, laugh and have that view. We went to have dinner at another winery and had some of the best pasta I ate the whole time.

Our last day there I got to make friends with some little monkeys. Cape town has an amazing animal sanctuary and there is a part where you can just sit with this little monkeys. You can’t feed or touch them, but they sure do like to jump all over you. It was so much fun and one of my favorite memories from the trip too.

Africa is my favorite country to visit.

Cape town was so easy to get around and has so much to offer. I really fell in love with it and the people there. Africa has been my favorite country to date that I have visited. I cannot wait to go back to Cape town and to explore more of the beauty that Africa has to offer. Also, the food is incredible; it has the best cheese and chocolate I have ever eaten. Trying authentic cuisine that are native to the country is one of my favorite things about traveling.

Taking the chance on applying for that study abroad made a dream come true and gave me memories that will last a lifetime. I am already planning my second trip to Cape town and Africa and im sure it will be just one of many I plan for the future.