IF YOU LIKE SHOTS, THEN STUDYING ABROAD IS FOR YOU!

This week has been interesting again in preparing for South Africa.  I feel like a lot of people have misconceptions about "Africa" as a whole.  Like, some people ask me, "do they have running water there?"  "Do you think you will get AIDS?"  UH, no, people, why dont you educate yourselves a bit more before you ask me such stupid questions.  YES, South Africa has running water, and everything normal just like any other country!  Its not some deserted wasteland where everyone is dying.  However, there are health concerns to think about while I'm there, that wouldnt be an issue here in the United States.

To begin with, one of my biggest concerns was malaria, because I hope to travel to parts of the country that are known for it, such as Kruger National Park, where you can see the African "big five" (African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, leopard, lion and rhino)!  Although there is known malaria in the western coast at this park, that dosent mean Im going to get it!  IF I do plan a trip there, I can take malaria medication before I leave, and while I'm there, and everything should be fine.
I also had a doctors appointment yesterday with an international travel doctor.  She basically told me a million and one things I shouldnt do haha such as drink the water, eat raw vegetables, or meat cooked under medium.  I should also be aware of Typhoid, which is why I am about to start taking medication to prevent that, just in case, in the next few days.  When that was all said and done, I thought we were done, and I could leave.  NOPE!  just kidding, I actually needed a BUNCH of shots, when I was told I would only need one.  I ended up getting hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, a flu shot, a tetanus shot, and Typhoid. Fun times all around!

My point here, in all of this rambling, is that, yes, these medical concerns seem strange and even scary to some people, but think of how lucky we are here in the United States to not have to think about this on a day-to-day basis.  We have one of the most advanced medical care in the world, but that dosent mean going to a place like South Africa is going to kill me or give me AIDS, so relax people.  It just means precautions and awareness need to be stressed.  I think in the long run it will be a good experience to realize and live in a place where a large percentage of the population isnt spoiled as far as health care or material things are concerned.
In the the future, if you are thinking about, or have plans to travel to a foreign country, that may have health care issues, make sure you educate yourself, and learn about what you can do to prevent any problems.  See a doctor, Google it, and make sure your prepared!


Another thing that is interesting to me, and gave me a different perspective on life compared to the United States is what I have been learning about the way South African's treat their education, especially at the college level.  In South Africa, yes, there is more poverty than here in the U.S, and so its not like every person gets the opportunity to even finish high school.  To graduate high school and attend a higher education is an extreme privilege in South Africa, and its not taken lightly.  We were told at Education Abroad orientation, that the seat we will sit in while in school in South Africa is a seat a South African will not get to sit in.  This really hit home with me.  Here in the United States, it is just assumed that someone has the money and the resources to go to college.  In fact, it is a commodity no one thinks twice about, or even thinks of as a privilege.  It is thought of more as a right. We take it for granted, and if we drop out, or dont finish, or get bad grades, its socially acceptable.  Not in South Africa.  Professors are treated with the utmost respect, and you would never see a South African student wearing sweatpants to class.  College is a big deal to them, because they have to work extremely hard to obtain the chance to go.  So, as I did, count your blessings folks, treat your education with respect, because in some parts of the world, its not just something everybody gets to do!

Attempting to prepare...OOfta! 12/13/12

To begin with, I am heading to Port Elizabeth, South Africa on January 29th, where I will study abroad for five and a half months!  I will be attending Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, where I will finish my Political Science, International Relations and Mass Communications studies.  I am staying at a place in Port Elizabeth, called Annie's Cove, where we apparently have maids (strange concept to get my head around!) and a pool!  We share our houses, called flats, with other international and St. Cloud State students, so it will be exciting to meet other students from all over the world!  Annie's Cove is about a ten-fifteen minutes walk to campus, and the same from the beach!



Attempting to prepare for something like this is overwhelming.  Up to this point, I have spent countless hours doing paperwork, picking out classes, and trying to decide where to visit and how much it will cost.  Just to give an idea, just to be considered for a student visa to South Africa, you have to have a background check, malaria shot, Tuberculous Test, psychical, and special insurance through the university.  Now that ALL of that in FINALLY over, I have to figure out what in the world to put in my suitcase. UM.  When I get there, it will be like May here, so the beginning of summer!  Thank GOODNESS.  I plan to bring as little as possible on the flight, so that I have plenty of room for the stuff I buy there. (Side note:  The South African Rand compared to the U.S dollar is a 9 to 1 ratio!)  So, lets just say,  I may or may not be making a lot of purchases! hehe

Today I actually started putting together a list of the things I wanted to do while I am in South Africa.  This is what I have so far:

1) Visit Mount Kilimanjaro

(For those of you who are unaware, Mount Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania, which is nearly 2,000 miles from where I am staying in Port Elizabeth, S. Africa.  Because of my frequent flyer miles from my trip over to South Africa, my plane ticket will be basically free!)  While in Tanzania, there are many national parks to visit, and its cheap!

2)  Visit Cape Town

a.      Table Mountain

b.      Boulders Bay (penguins!)

c.       Swim with Great Whites (In a cage obviously..)

d.      Tour Robben Island (Where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for nearly twenty years)