Testimonials & Photos: Africa
Spring 2008 semester in South Africa at Rhodes University, eight Washington College students, from left to right: Karen Hye, Grace Harter, Kevin Rodriguez, Kate Towson, Ryan Coulson, and Kana Takio.
The South Africa Experience
Courtney Madden '08, Woodstown, NJ
Anthropology Major
Things are going well in South Africa. Can't believe how fast it's going by. I don't know if you heard or not but Val and I got to feed lions. That was quite an experience.
Last Sunday we went on a horseback safari too. It was amazing.... seeing game on horse, and also riding on a private beach with the horses. It was really nice.
This place is just WOW. I dont know why more people don't go do the South Africa program. Etienne is amazing as our advisor and the trips planned for us are fantastic. Not to mention it's gorgeous here. I wonder if it is the distance factor that gets people? Hmm people just dont know what they are missing.
Niki Tripp '05, Baltimore, MD
Anthropology Major
"Spending a semester in South Africa changed my life. Most people overlook the chance to visit Africa in lieu of countries that are more in the mainstream, but that was one reason why I wanted to go. No one knows much about it, and it turns out that South Africa is probably one of the most beautiful, diverse places on Earth.
I was able to hang out on pristine beaches, go on your mandatory African safari (think lions, elephants, zebra, dung beetles), have a paintball fight with slingshots in the bush, climb mountains, and volunteer at a township kindergarten (probably the best experience out of the whole semester).
Classes were challenging because they are taught differently than at Washington College, but in many ways that became an advantage. I met so many amazing people from so many different countries, and Rhodes definitely upholds its reputation for an unbeatable nightlife, so there was really never a boring moment. Something about South Africa gets into your bones and becomes a part of you—I look back and can't believe I was fortunate enough to choose studying there over any of the other countries I could have gone to.
It's so hard to sum up what the experience was like, but I can't wait to go back, and I absolutely recommend this program for anyone looking for more than just an average 'study abroad' experience."
Minety Abraham '04, Liberia
Political Science Major
"My favorite memory from South Africa was traveling to the Transkei and visiting a place named Coffee Bay. You will find the most beautiful, non-tourist beaches in South Africa. When I visited, we spent the night around a bonfire singing, playing African drums, chatting, and engaging in fruitful debates with South Africans and other students studying in South Africa about the future of the country."
"This is one of the best programs Washington College has to offer, a trip to South Africa would not only challenge on multiple levels, but also, at the end of your journey, you leave South Africa knowing that your long flights from Chestertown to the end of Africa was extremely rewarding."
"I would challenge other students to study in South Africa and explore the country for what it is has to offer. Definitely travel beyond the campus and meet as many South Africans as possible. South Africa is in a league by itself, it has so much to offer in terms of knowledge and personal growth. South Africa is experiencing a period of transition, and I would encourage students to study in South Africa and experience this process as it progresses."