As I scroll through my camera roll, I find it crazy to believe that nine months ago this week, I spent time with my parents in the Eastern Cape before heading to Johannesburg for the last week in South Africa. My siblings and nephew joined us in Johannesburg before I departed for the U.S.A. Those final days were spent bonding with my family, running errands such as picking up my passport at the U.S. Embassy, stocking up on medication, going to the bank, visiting the dentist, and ensuring all the necessary documents were organised. I wouldn’t describe how I felt as excitement, but rather as a strange sense of wondering who I would return to South Africa as. This question has now been answered, although it will probably take years to unpack and understand the new vs old me entirely.

Following a very emotional goodbye at the airport, I went on my way, embarking on an almost sixteen-hour flight from Johannesburg to Atlanta, shortly followed by a one-hour flight to Nashville. Immediately after entering that long, drawn-out flight, it sunk in that I was moving abroad. The Delta air hostesses’ accents quickly made me realise I would be in the U.S. in about sixteen hours and would only be returning to South Africa nine months later. I knew then, and still know now, that this research visit to the U.S. through the Fulbright was a valid rite of passage and that I was to seize the moment; though I didn’t know what awaited me, I needed to trust the process.

All the same, from the moment I set foot in the U.S., the entire experience was much more than what I had bargained for. Long-term travel is tricky, and the heightened ebb and flow of your emotions is something you are confronted with throughout the period, perhaps that’s where a significant amount of the growth lies. The culture shock was immediate, and the inception of mine was when I saw people taking their shoes off at the airport; ‘wow!’ I thought. Homesickness was another hurdle I faced, one which I never fully reconciled. Loneliness would also creep up at times, though one might argue that pursuing a doctorate and loneliness are inseparable. So, while a life of travel sounds tempting and pleasurable, it isn’t for everyone!

Be that as it may, and in the spirit of carpe diem, I had many memorable experiences which I would implore you to consciously seek out during an opportunity abroad.

Travel

I had the opportunity to travel around America in a culturally enriching way, but did not compromise any of my research time. Noteworthy moments were my visit to New York, where I climbed 162 steps up to the Crown of the Statue of Liberty, a very sombre yet eye-opening visit to the 9/11 memorial, a long walk across Brooklyn Bridge, and an immersive experience at the summit one Vanderbilt, to name a few. Another one for the books was my visit to Chicago, where I spent precious time thrifting with friends, visited ‘the Bean’, went on a private tour of the archives at the Art Institute of Chicago, and went up to the observation deck of John Hancock Centre.

Host Family

This might have been my favourite part. The genuine connections made. I had an exceptional, lifelong host family that began this journey with me when I was picked up from the airport. Because of them, my apartment was beautifully ready for me when I arrived, I got to experience an American Thanksgiving and Easter, I had a family to watch my choir concert, and most meaningfully, I had people I could rely on during the more challenging moments of living abroad.

Meaningful Friendships

I’ve never quite been one for many friends but deciding to step outside my comfort zone has left me with a diverse group of friends worldwide. I’ve experienced many cultures, eaten various delicious cuisines, and learned much from the connections. The international students and scholars, particularly those from Africa, made me feel immensely understood in my experiences.

Entertainment

Shortly after I settled in, I created a reward system for myself, whereby every time I reached a particular milestone with my research, I would indulge and get a ticket to some or other show. These could be music or sport; I was in Nashville after all. To name a few, I went to Kevin Hart, Lil Nas X, Pentatonix, Ice hockey, Basketball, Banksy Art Exhibition, the county fair, and multiple socials on campus. All these experiences were unlike anything I have ever experienced before.

Education

I had a phenomenal academic advisor that guided my writing process and exposed me to scholars whom I never imagined I would be working alongside today. I got to observe several classes my mentor and other faculty members conducted. I had a regular spot in the library next to the fireplace where I would work and romanticize my life as a researcher.

Self-reflection

As I reflect on the past nine months, leaving behind a comfortable environment where I had the support of my family and moving into an unfamiliar territory where I faced daunting situations. I sometimes felt I would be much better off at home, mainly when homesickness gradually started sinking in. However, the more you overcome, the more you realise you can take on. You begin to learn more about yourself and the resilience you hold within, your perspective on many things begins to shift and expand, and at the end of it, all the amount you now know about yourself, life, and the world makes it all worth it.

Ultimately, studying abroad afforded me opportunities I had never imagined for myself. Veni, vidi, vici. With that, I say Hello, South Africa!