Preparation for South Africa

Before we start, lets take a coffee.

This past Saturday morning was a truly enlightening experience. Mr. Sebastian Van Hoeck provided an insightful and sophisticated explanation of life in South Africa.

Goal:

To critically prepare students for their global engagement, ensuring they become an asset to the partner countries.

Content:

• Interacting with individuals in different cultural and socio-economic contexts
• Understanding the impact of poverty and inequality
• Collaborating with colleagues in the workplace
• Intercultural communication
• Identifying the added value students bring to the internship or research group

Let’s be clear from the outset: as teachers, we are not going there to "teach" them anything. Those familiar with South African history, or who have read In Africa with Avi and Kumbi, understand that they possess their own profound strength. It is we, the Western educators, who stand to learn from their methods and rich cultural heritage. This is a valuable lesson we can carry back to our own educational systems.

Some key lessons we took away from this session:

• Learn their history: South Africans place immense value on knowledge and historical understanding. To truly engage with their culture, we must first immerse ourselves in their past.
• Figures of significance: Individuals like Nelson Mandela hold great importance in South Africa’s narrative.
• Their relationship with time, movement, and climate: How do they navigate daily challenges like transportation or extreme heat?
• Their faith and beliefs: Understanding the spiritual and religious landscape is key to deeper connections.
• Avoid isolating in “Belgian” groups: Make an effort to build genuine friendships rather than sticking to familiar faces.
• Racism: Confronting and understanding the deep-seated issues related to race.

A crucial piece of advice from Mr. Van Hoeck: "Think about the purpose behind their actions!"

What do I hope to achieve during my internship?

• Discover new teaching methods
• Gain a living connection to history
• Visit a village school and compare it with my international school experience
• Build friendships with South Africans and host a BBQ to share cultures!

For those interested in learning more, I recommend the following documentary and film.

Note: it is not for sensitive viewers!

• Documentary: Miners Shot Down

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2GbCoKioEs

• Film: Invictus