They arrived Jan. 23 and they will be leaving June 19 from one of the developed countries in Africa.
It is a third-world country, but it is the most developed country on the African continent.
Welcome to South Africa – the land full of gold as it is known on the African continent.
It is in this land, which is leading with the highest HIV/AIDS infection in the world, where two of ETSU’s students went for an exchange program.
Trista Self and Jennifer O’Connell, have been in South Africa for the last two months at Stellenbosch University. Self said South Africa has been a real eye opener as it has made her see the other side of the world.
“South Africa has really changed me on how I used to perceive things, and I recommend to students whole-heartedly to travel abroad or even nationally, since it makes one a new person,” said Self, who majors in biology and minors in psychology.
Even more important, she added, is learning how to interact with different people.
Self said one major difference between ETSU and Stellenbosch is the grading scale. “Here (in Africa) a 70 is a really good score and getting a 75 is almost unheard of, so you really have to work hard,” Self said.
“I love college life, and the environment here is good for my studies. That is the main reason why I am not homesick,” she said.
The 21-year-old student revealed that she had to go through major culture shock. “I thought I was prepared for it, but I found out I was wrong. No one can ever prepare for the shock, since you are going to an entirely new school, people, culture and food,” Self said.
She also said that the language barrier is still an issue, even though the classes she is taking are being taught in English.
“The professors here speak with thick South African accents, and it’s hard to understand sometimes what they are saying, but thankfully all our textbooks are available in English as well,” she said.
Self said that even though they were not required to take any foreign language other than English, they are now taking a course in Afrikaan language, since the area they live in is an Afrikaans-speaking area.
She noted that she misses some of her favorite American foods such as French fries, Easy Mac and Pop-Tarts. “What I normally eat is chips (the British word for fries) and “braai” which is somewhat like an American barbeque, usually prepared, preferably, from lamb meat and you can eat it with vegetables or bread,” Self said.
I miss Wal-Mart too, as nothing here compares to Wal-Mart,” she said.
Life in South Africa, however, is cheap. She said $1 is equivalent to six Raand, and with that kind of money you can buy lots of things.
“I am getting into the culture, as everyone I have become acquainted to has been very friendly to me, even though some have made fun of me for saying ‘y’all,'” she said.
Self pointed out that in areas, medical facilities are unheard of, especially in the poorest areas of the country.

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