The Spirit of Lynedoch

I think everyone has some sort of abstract notion about study abroad. It varies from person to person and from place to place. Most people expect to better understand a certain culture; all expect to have the time of their lives; some, myself included, expect a new outlook on the world as a whole.

As I prepared to leave for South Africa, I hoped that my semester abroad would change me in some profound way. Perhaps it was a little much to imagine a whole new me after a mere four months in a foreign country. But, while I don’t feel like a completely new person, I definitely found new perspective on the world and mankind after my time in South Africa, specifically my time at Lynedoch Primary school. My expectations on life in Africa differed from what I found there; but at the same time, I was able to better understand global culture and the importance of experiencing the way others live.

I thought I would learn about the “real” Africa, but instead I found that there is no one Africa. There are only real individuals. It was not about the place, necessarily, but the people that characterized that space, that made South Africa a reality for me. My experience at Lynedoch, as well as throughout South Africa, was defined by the people that I met.

I thought Africa might be dangerous, exotic or wild, but it was no different than home in a lot of ways. Yes, some people are very unfortunate. Many of the students came to school with ripped pants and broken shoes, but with their spirits intact. And that’s what the people of South Africa taught me: spirit. Less than two decades after the end of apartheid, the South African people have much to be unhappy about. Yet, many that I met had a way to channel the happiness deep in their souls into a spirited approach to life.

Surprisingly, I learned the most from my fifth grade students. According to Gandhi, “The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others.” And so, with my brief time helping a group of South African fifth graders, I managed to better understand the perfect approach to life.

I learned to look through the eyes of a ten year old; I learned to get down on their level. I figured out that instead of teaching a lesson, I should be sparking creativity. I realized that the best way for me to help my students was not to teach them about history or geography, but to help them understand inspiration, hard work, perseverance and happiness. And, as a bonus, I could be a role model to the young girls in the room, and they could help me understand how to remain spirited when times get rough.