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South Africa:
A Personal Perspective
by Stefanie Tywater-Christiansen '02
During my junior year at St. Olaf, I spent the January Interim in South Africa. That month was the most emotional, educational and remarkable I could have asked for.
South Africa’s history is rich in struggle and triumph seen and felt in the physical landscape and personal stories. The landscape includes vast grasslands filled with wild animals, sparse deserts, crystal blue ocean waters, cityscapes and townships, archeological sites, Robben Island, and the might of Table Mountain. No matter where you go, the dramatic landscape amazes.
The people of South Africa have lived lives of turmoil and change. While poverty, racism, HIV/AIDS and other social justice issues remain, there is plenty of hope to go around. Conversations with South Africans often yield stories of pain and violence, but they also reveal stories of hope and progress. I learned so much from the people in South Africa, but I also learned a great deal from the people I traveled with. We were able to experience things for ourselves, share our experiences with each other and see South Africa through each other’s eyes.
The experiences I had in South Africa continue to influence my life eight years later. They helped guide me into graduate school to pursue my master’s degree in social responsibility and eventually into my current job as registration and travel manager with One Heartland, an organization improving the lives of children, youth and their families impacted by HIV/AIDS and other significant challenges worldwide. I continue to appreciate everything I learned from my time in South Africa, and I look forward to going back, perhaps with my family, so that I can share this amazing country with them.
Return to South Africa program description.
