As the last week of the program roles around, just as Riley, new emotions swirl within me. I know that long after I arrive home, the souvenirs are unpacked, and the scents of Rivonia’s kitchen are washed away, these feelings will remain. They’re the true mementos of my time abroad, complex and beautiful reminders of travels that has reshaped my world.
Ubuntujoy: She’s my fused version of happiness and gratitude. A radiant, figure with a smile as large as Kruger National Park. This emotion arose when I truly understood the concept of Ubuntu – “I am because we are.” Immersing ourselves in the local culture of Eswatini, and visiting Soweto, I felt this profound sense of interconnectedness, a euphoria born from realizing my place and mirrored experience in things that were once so foreign. Ubuntujoy reminds me of the sense of contentment found in community and shared humanity. She’s the one who encouraged me to make the little girl I met at Demi’s Farm sing and giggle, dance to the Pitch Perfect-inspired live music at the 4 Ways Market, and pushed me to banter with all the tour guides and Uber drivers we’ve crossed paths with during the 6 weeks.
Introspective-Amandla: He’s a complex emotion that was formed as we learned about South Africa’s deeply rooted history and beautiful melting pot of cultures. Amandla means power in Zulu, and this emotion embodies the awakening of social consciousness. He’s the one urging me to stay informed and engaged. Visiting the Apartheid Museum, Constitutional Court, and Nelson Mandela’s Home has prompted many moments of reflection in my privilege, pursuing further academic exploration of historical injustices and their parallels to U.S. history. I’ve been thinking about my role as a global citizen, sparking a burning desire to make a difference.
Safariosity: Safariosity is a bubbly and energetic, derpy, quirky, and inquisitive, at times a bit reckless, lacking a social battery, but armed with a do it FOR THE PLOT mentality. They came to life during our weekend trip to Kruger (constantly alert character with wide eyes, head on the swivel). Their part excitement and embodies the thrill of exploring the unknown. Safariosity is the one making my heart race as I think about future adventures and is always pushing for one more expedition, one more risk. When in doubt, you can find them bouncing off the walls, shouting, “We haven’t gone ZIPLINING YET!”
Academic Weaponness: She developed during several intense Motherland Coffee class notes grind at the start of the semester and was most apparent in my perseverance with the death that was completing our Week 3 Assignment (due to having to reshoot Yusuf’s interview twice and pulling an all-nighter because of accidentally deleting my almost finished project in Premiere Pro). She’s inquisitive and achievement-oriented, always striving to do her best while learning more. She is the commander in chief of my work ethic and determination, pushing me to overcome the difficult PSets and go out of my comfort zone to broaden the scope of my understanding of global health and epidemiology. She is the reason I stay after class to practice my cinematography skills and is my passion for EVERYTHING film stems from.
Nostalgia: Born from the first homesick tear I shed, Nostalgia has grown into a bittersweet companion, constantly reminding me of the looming end of a place that’s become home. She’s like a warm, comforting blanket that envelops me, replaying memories in vivid detail, and making me smile and sigh in the same breath. She’s the feeling of time slipping through my fingers, of trying to hold onto every detail of a place I might never see again. She is the reason I take millions of pictures of everything and more and why I’m always daydreaming about things like my first bite of malva pudding and what my final walk into Rivonia Village will be like. She reminds me to hold onto these moments.” Nostalgia will make a lump in my throat when I have to say goodbye to Anika and our mega bed, Emma and Elon’s brilliant thought-provoking participation in class, Filitah, Brian, Miriam, and Cindy’s beautiful smiles and wonderful hospitality, my co-chef and professional TikToker Evie and sous chef Asia’s substandard rice, miss mama of the group and shopping icon, Seli, the sound of Ben’s sweet clarinet, Paul and Jon’s WhatsApp “candid photo war”, Antonia and Georgie’s Aeris love, and of course Yusuf’s contagious optimism. Nostalgia creates butterflies in my stomach as I think about saying goodbye to Joburg and represents the nervous anticipation of returning home and integrating this transformed version of myself into everyday life.
I came here to study global health, but I’m leaving with so much more – a deeper understanding of humanity, of struggle and triumph, of the delicate balance between despair and hope. Soon, I’ll board a plane back to my old life, and with me, I’ll take a heart so full it could implode.
What a beautiful and brilliant post written by a beautiful and brilliant girl.