Pre-departure:
Months before you buckle up for your journey, the notion of traveling commences. As writer Gilbert K. Chesterson once wrote, “They say travel broadens the mind, but you must have the mind.”
Already at the pre-departure phase of the exchange semester, one is confronted by an ocean of options and choices, the first being one’s choice of partner university in the United States of America (USA). I had many to choose from, but eventually elected to attend the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens, in the state of Georgia. My choice was mainly based on my interest in the clarinet studio of Dr D Ray McCllelan, clarinet professor at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music.
I applied to through Stellenbosch University’s INTERNATIONAL OFFICE and, upon acceptance by the host university, tackled the mountain of paperwork required in order to realise my exchange. Much of my time was devoted to settling the prescribed medical requirements, which consisted of a TB screening at PathCare and a long list of vaccines that had to be documented on a prescribed Certificate of Immunisation. Certain immunisations consist of a series of injections; in some cases, over a period of two months. I would therefore advise anyone going to the USA to get these vaccines well in advance, as the late submission of the completed certificate will hamper one’s registration for classes at UGA.
Due to miscommunication from the administration team of the host university, I only heard two weeks before my departure that I was required to submit an audition video to UGA’s Department of Music. Fortunately, the audition was successful although its late submission did affect my choice of lecturer.
The overall visa (J-1 non-immigrant) application process went off smoothly. I completed an online application and paid an application processing fee of R2 320, as well as a SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor) fee of R2 490.
At my interview at the US Consulate in Tokai, the consultant verified the information I had provided on the online application. I also had with me my passport, three letters declaring my non-immigrant intent and a DS-2019 form. The latter is a form issued by the host university, declaring one’s eligibility for the academic exchange and sent via post to Stellenbosch University. Before its issuing, UGA’s Immigration Services required letters guaranteeing financial support to cover the anticipated expenses ($8 622) of my stay in the States. I provided three letters which included the financial support of UGA, Stellenbosch University and my Oppenheimer Memorial Trust scholarship.
The Neelsie Travel Bureau provided excellent travel guidance and advice. I opted to buy additional travel insurance along with my flight ticket. When I arrived in Atlanta, I travelled with a pre-booked shuttle service (Groome Transportation) to Athens where I spent my first night in the USA at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel. The next morning, I was escorted to my dormitory by a student volunteer.
Experience at the Host University:
After the informative international student orientation, I met with an excellent academic adviser who guided me through my subject choices. I had to be registered for a minimum of 12 university credits (a standard policy for all UGA students and also a requirement of my J-1 visa).
At UGA, all undergraduate music majors receive one individual lesson (2 credits) weekly and has to attend two rehearsals of a large ensemble (1 credit). I was appointed to the principal clarinet position in the Wind Symphony Ensemble. While these were the only compulsory requirements, I could register for any other courses of my choice, only if I met the prerequisites of the course. Consequently, I chose the following: World Music of the East Hemisphere, Jazz Improvisation (Introductory Course), Music in the Real World, Woodwind Pedagogy and Chamber Music. I also joined the African American Choral Ensemble (AACE).
Obvious differences between UGA and Stellenbosch University relate chiefly to the fact that one is situated in a developed country with abundant resources and the other in a developing country with different challenges and consequently priorities. The sizes of the classes were similar to what I was accustomed to, but what I particularly appreciated at UGA was the professionalism and passion of the lecturers in presenting their various subjects. It was contagious, requiring my fellow students and I really to stretch ourselves intellectually and invoking in us a similar enthusiasm for our work. UGA is extremely organised and diligently work in accordance with predetermined schedules, while the programme at the Department of Music at Stellenbosch is less rigid. The latter poses challenges of a different nature and makes it slightly more difficult to achieve a consistent standard.During my time in Athens, I attended the final football game of the season which was characterized by much excitement and a sense of camaraderie. I experienced authentic African-American Soul Music at the Morton Theatre, watched quality movies at the quaint cinema Cine, while enjoying student specials of many sorts in Downtown Athens. I visited live music bars that favours original music, particularly jazz music. I also attended excellent student productions of operas such as Mozart’s Le Nozze De Figaro, theatre, symphony orchestra concerts and chamber music recitals, while experiencing on the same stage world-class performers such as the well-known British a capella group, The King’s Singers.
During my Spring Break, I was fortunate enough to visit South African expats in Princeton, New Jersey. Of course, I traveled to New York City (NYC) almost every day and did as much sightseeing as possible, including the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Natural History Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which was a particular highlight of my time in NYC. At the Metropolitan Opera House, I attended a superb production of Richard Strauss’ opera Elektra, while at Carnegie Hall my soul transcended when I saw and heard my musical inspiration and role-model, Janine Jansen, in concert with the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. My adventures in the Big Apple concluded with a mind-blowing jazz concert by Grammy Award-winning clarinettist and saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera.
During my time in Princeton, I explored the beautiful snow-covered ivy league university and even spent some time in their well-equipped library. On my last day in Princeton, I attended a dress rehearsal of the brilliant Princeton Symphony Orchestra. I was privileged to have had these life-changing experiences in addition to my time at UGA, the one augmenting the other.
Return to Stellenbosch:
Despite all the wonderful things I experienced and learnt, my return to Stellenbosch has not been particularly difficult and I look forward to completing my degree this year.
The time at UGA has of course whet my appetite for more. I did not have a hard time adapting to my new environment and I was fascinated by the manner in which my American peers thought and acted. It helped to broaden my thoughts and ideas on a wide range of topics. I learnt much academically and, more importantly, in relation to my clarinet playing, but I also made great friends, experienced a fraction of American culture and met international students that come from places I had never heard of before meeting them. Thanks to technology and our shared love for music, it will not be too difficult to maintain these friendships. The interaction I had with them was refreshing and while we are all different, I found that we all have much more in common than what is revealed on the surface.
After my semester exchange I am eager to travel abroad again, as I definitely experienced a widening of my horizons. I am deeply grateful to all at Stellenbosch University and the University of Georgia who made my exchange semester possible.