Pre-departure:
When I decided that I was going to apply to attend a winter school in Berlin I made the decision that I was going to give it my all, starting with the application process. I made a tremendous effort to compile a DVD interview that came with as much effort as it did with my own utmost desire to acquire it. On hearing that I had obtained the opportunity to go on my first trip abroad I was completely overwhelmed and extremely excited. After the pleasure settled in and it became more of a reality, I realized that it would entail much planning. True to my nature I compiled a brief list of all the relevant aspects that needed to be taken care off for this amazing trip. After booking my flight ticket, the second most important aspect was to apply for a visa. The process itself is relatively easy, as once you have complied with all the relevant requirements such as health insurance and presenting an official letter, you should get the green light. It is extremely important that you familiarize yourself with these requirements which are all available from the embassy’s website.
After making sure that all my finances were in order I found it best to activate my student credit card for international travel as opposed to the Euro Card. Just be sure to inform your bank of the exact time that you will be abroad and which countries you intend to visit. Taking care of the essential requirements it is recommended that you read as much as you can about the country. Being a tourist is a much more enriching experience if you already have some information about your destination. The best advice I can give someone before they depart (other than to pack light!) is to remain open minded and to experience every aspect (the good and the bad) with all your senses and soul.
Time spent in Germany:
Arriving in Berlin at Tegel Airport in the rain on a bitter cold Sunday, my first impression of Germany was pretty grim. The airport is anything but a modern 21 century hotspot, instead it feels like something stuck in the 70’s and made operational only on occasion. It was only towards the end of my journey that I learned that the airport was due for closure, and therefore very little was done to maintain its infrastructure. Taking a bus into the city center I immediately realized I was in for a big surprise. Things only got better after leaving the airport. The city is very modern, complemented by rich historical origins. You immediately notice it as you pass the gigantic Hauptbanhof (Central Station) and directly across form it you find the impressive building of the Reichstag. Using public transport for the first time was an experience. All instructions are mostly in German, which was fine because I was there to improve my German language skills, but for a moment it felt as if I’d lost all my basic understanding of the language. Finding my way by train to where my accommodation was located was a bit of a mission. I finally succeeded thanks to the help of a lovely elderly lady, who could clearly pick up that I was totally lost, but she also gave me the confidence to have my first conversation in German. It felt good.
On meeting the other two students, with whom I shared an apartment, I started to feel less alone and more comfortable because we were all in the same boat. It was as much a new country and a new experience for me as it was for them. All of a sudden we had a lot in common. My first day at the university was coincidentally also my 21 Birthday. It felt quite liberating celebrating my first day of adulthood doing my own thing. Being totally out of my comfort zone I decided that I would not tell the others that it was my birthday. To my surprise, at our assembly point where we met the program director and fellow students of the program, I was congratulated in front of everyone and immediately labeled as the ‘birthday-boy’. I really appreciated their acknowledgment, as it was a much needed conversation starter with all the new people I was to meet that day. I realized then that the month ahead was going to be amazing.
The course itself was very relaxed and the focus was more on interaction and critically dealing with the material as oppose to completing exercises simply for marks. The class was very compact and as such I was allocated to a group that consisted of 10 students. Cultural-wise the program included several visits to the main tourist attractions for which we had to sign-up in advance if we wanted to attend. I am of the opinion that the program was very well structured, as it allowed for ample time to do our own thing. Over-all the mantra was more of a ‘hands-off’ approach, yet we also felt safe knowing we were part of a group and that there was a flexible structure in place.
Berlin has a lot to offer and is made very accessible with public transport that literally takes you where-ever you want to go. For museum lovers it is an absolute must. It is a big metropolis, yet you will never feel too overwhelmed as the city outlay is pretty easy to grasp, especially by the end of the first week. It is highly recommended to do one of the free tours that are on offer to all visitors. They depart daily from the Brandenburg Tor (the main tourist hub) and provide a brief overview of the entire city and all the must-see places to visit.
Sharing the rest of my experience feels like doing an injustice to what was granted to me as gift and for which I feel extremely privilege to have experienced. I could tell you about the first time I experienced snow, yet no words can describe the feeling I had at that moment. Or I could share with you the countless amazing people I met and yet, no summary could portray the unique role that they each played in shaping my journey. You simply have to experience it yourself. Spending time abroad is something that you will not regret, even if some difficulties are encountered, you will learn so much about yourself, and that in itself is invaluable.
Back in to my roots in South Africa:
Landing at Cape Town Airport and being greeted by a lovely lady from customs, saying “welcome back home Kabelo”, I knew my heart was once again where it belongs. That is not to say that I in any way disregarded my experience abroad, on the contrary, it was amazing. I think the best aspect about spending time ‘away’ is that it provides you with a new perspective on your own life and it allows for much needed reflection, simply because you are ‘away’ from all that is familiar.
Being back in the heat of Stellenbosch after experiencing -16 degrees Celsius in Germany, everyone wanted to know how I felt. After sharing some of my highlights, I realized that it’s impossible to give a simple answer to this question. Yes, I can say that it was amazing and that I had an extremely good time, but even that cannot adequately convey what was a truly unforgettable experience.
Reflecting on my trip I cannot recall the countless times people would remark and enquire about my origin, simply because they sensed a warm spirit in my being. In hindsight I completely understand what it was, because you will only become aware of it once you’ve been a stranger in a foreign country. Being born in Africa equips you with a uniqueness that is not found anywhere else. It is not something that you can leave behind when you travel abroad. The gift of traveling, as reflecting process, makes you acutely aware of this specific uniqueness. Returning with this enlightenment of our uniqueness is life changing.
Today I have even more appreciation for my own roots in Africa and realize that although I would like to study abroad and will definitely travel again, my purpose in life will always be here in my own country.
I am certain that if you allow yourself the opportunity to explore beyond your current context, by attending a similar program, or simply by traveling, you will also have as an enriching experience abroad. Just remember it all depends on your attitude, starting with the application process.