Final Assignment - Take away

It's a weird feeling really - I've been here for about 3 months now and I feel like I been here forever, but at the same time feel as though I have just arrived. South Africa has been so good to me and has taught me so much. I am glad to be coming home but at the same time feel like I am leaving home as well. Its confusing to write about but even more so to feel, yet, I feel confident that this has certainly been a life shaping experience and one that I will certainly remember for a lifetime. I think I would need a few blogs to list the number of things I have learned from this trip, but I think I'll focus on the few broad pieces that have been interconnected and significant.

Walk down the streets of Jo'burg and you'll feel judged; people can spot you out easier than an elephant in a crowd of people. Try feeling like a minority for a day, two, 3 months, and you'll know how bad racism really is. I consider racism to be wrong in every form; judging people based on colour - whether they are good judgments or bad. I never new what Apartheid was before coming to S.A. and you can see the old customs are still embedded in people and society. What made Apartheid so bad was that it was actually law - it was written in books, buildings, rules, signs, etc, that whites should be separate from blacks. Schools, banks, toilets, you name it were designated not by custom or culture but by actual law, to be distinguished as whites only/blacks only. The only benefit of Apartheid was that it brought out amazing people like Nelson Mandela and many others who dedicated their lives to putting a stop to such discrimination. Although it did legally end, we can still see segregation of communities, jobs which seem 'colour' orientated, and funding for schools and development being clearly favoured to one side. Racism is by no means concentrated into S.A.; it is alive and well, maybe not by law, but certainly by culture in many parts of the world. What I take from this is that I see a desperate need for change; to abandon those old views held by so many people and to stop it where I can. Although easier said than done, racism is still around and there are so many opportunities to put an end to it.

I can compare Toronto and Jo'burg so easily its amazing. One example being there was just a municipal worker strike lasting about 3 days, demanding of course higher wages. The protest was a little more extreme I think, as the streets were basically trashed for those few days; then again, I don't know what happened in T.O. I really believe that cities are simply a concentration of environmental issues; things like transportation, sanitation, pollution, recylicng, crime, and population, can all be studied and solved from within a city. Pollution is a real big problem here as well as low energy and fuel efficiency. Its difficult to understand how the wealthiest parts of nations seem to be the most polluted. What I take from this is the need for education and to better understand the trend between wealth and destruction.

One of the best things I've done on this internship is participate in the outreach program, where a group of science educators go around the city to different high schools and teach a specific topic in math and science. Its amazing to gain a better grasp of how education in math and science is done in a ‘Third World’ country. To my understanding I see absolutely no difference in the abilities and minds of the students here learning in South Africa. The only difference and hence the only problem is the infrastructure or lack of infrastructure provided to these schools and the lack of willingness to do anything about it. I am so grateful to have my eyes and mind opened to this issue and feel inspired as a possible future educator. We honestly don't know how privileged we really are to have rooms with lighting, enough desks and chairs for all the students, and a decent student to teacher ratio.

Travelling around South Africa and a little outside has shown me the different 'Africa's' here in Africa. When someone says that they have travelled to Africa this summer, immediately people assume safaris, living in the jungle, animals running wild, etc, etc. But that's maybe one country or place on this continent that is actually like that. And to those who do not have the pleasure of knowing South Africa, its really not like that. I spent most of my time in the City of Jo'burg, which is very densely populated and not an animal in sight. I did get a chance to see a game reserve and travel to different provinces where the animals and land are very different from place to place. Travelling to Cape Town was simply amazing and I never thought things could be so different in such a close distance. Travelling to Swaziland made me experience a type of poverty which I still can't fully comprehend. Both Swaziland and Jo'burg are poor places, yet in Jo'burg the poverty seems to be more hidden, where as in Swaziland its more in your face. What I will take from these travels is that one cannot simply judge or assume anything based on no real experience and misconceptions. Africa is a very diverse continent with many different countries and cultures. An internship to Africa can mean anything from living in the jungle and becoming 'one with nature,' to working at an office desk in the middle of the city. Africa - yours to explore.

The one thing I will never forget about S.A is the people. Never have I experienced so much hospitality, friendship, and utmost welcoming by complete strangers. I feel like we put up a number of huge walls and block people off in Western society; constantly fearing the unknown and change to our regular, comforting, day-to-day lives. We want to know everything about a person before we welcome them into our homes, where as here its just like "sure come have dinner, spend the night, have a shower", etc. As much as Jo'burg has made me a little more cautious, aware, and prepared, the people of South Africa has made me at the same time more trusting.

I really hope this is not my last time in S.A. It really is a beautiful country and has so much to offer to the world. The 2010 World Cup will be held here next year and this will not only stimulate economic development in the country, but also help people see and understand what S.A is all about. I think this World event could only have a positive outcome and if its anything like the 2009 Confederation Cup, the whole country will not only unite, but foreigners and travellers alike. Thank you S.A.

Assignment 4 - Tourist or Traveler

So I get off the plane from Canada-South Africa and I am immediately a tourist. The "I have no idea where I am or what I'm doing here, but this is awesome!", feeling is overwhelming. Out comes the camera and in comes the over-powering feeling of adventure. .

But that feeling dissipated rather quickly when you get the sense of where you really are; barbed wire, electric fencing, and you notice rather quickly that people see you as a tourist in their country. I'll admit its not the best feeling in the world, as people immediately make their assumptions based on race and lanuage (tone or accent) .

I consider being a tourist more like a stepping stone to being a traveler - you have to overcome the tourist domain before entering into the traveler's paradise. And a paradise it is; you actually get to fully enjoy what you have come for. The only variable is how long you remain a tourist, which is completely dependent on what you are willing to do and accept.

I believe being a traveler involves not spending your entire trip at tourist attractions. Go to the local markets and restaurants, buy merchandise on the street, and mingle with everyone. Of course those places are attractions for a reason, but food and merchandise are often overpriced to cater to the fact that tourist more than often have money to spend. I think this is the only way to overcome the negative tourist stereotype which I'm sure we have all experienced. I don't think the host country will recognize you as a traveler but always as a tourist; a tourist with nice Canadian dollars to spend. I think its my job to know that this assumption is being made and to prepared for that as best I can.

I think you know you are a traveler rather than a tourist when you see other tourist doing their own tourist things: walking around with their cameras and maps, and attracting celebrity type attention to themselves. It also feel awesome when you give them directions, tips, and recommendations, making you feel a little more comfortable in what used to be a strange country.

I have been in Joburg for over 2 months now, and it does have a feeling of home to it. As I had the opportunity to travel to Swaziland and Cape Town, I immediately felt away from home. That may also be an indication that you have moved from tourist - traveler, and that you have accepted and join the culture of your host country.

So are we tourists or travelers? I honestly think that's a personal choice, one that may take a few weeks, months, or even years to determine. The point is that each person will have their own time frame to which they make this 'transformation,' but afterward the rewards are endless.

Assignment 3 - To change or not to change

It seems as though Larissa has us going from hard-easy-hard in terms of the difficulty of these assignments. I mean 'Culture' - 'Set the Scene', now 'Change'. I mean come on, we are our worst critic. But I guess these assignments are suppose to be something a little more challenging than what we tell our family and friends when they call or email for a quick update. Nonetheless I’ll wing it.

It’s amazing to see how much you can actually change, despite being your worst critic. I think I’ve grown accustomed to luxury not being a necessity – from things like walking instead of driving – to using our own God given forks to grab a quick lunch when the common plastic isn’t provided. I simply love it – you definitely begin appreciate things a lot more. Take central heating and insulation for example: We have one of the coldest climates in Canada but we deal with it. We insulate our homes and crank up the furnace. We are usually never cold indoors. In South Africa, where the majority of the homes are not insulated and furnace systems are a luxury, we put on sweaters, get some extra blankets and just kind of deal with it. It is too warm in the summer to have insulation in homes. So many applications to social, environmental, and cultural change I could probably write an essay just on that matter. I think the hard part is going back home and turning down the furnace in the winter, and then to convince everyone to just put on a few layers and deal with it. Part of the culture shock of returning home I guess.

I’ve picked up a few greetings and sayings since I’ve been here like ‘howzit,’ ‘my china,’ ‘just now’ (probably one of the most confusing ones, which I thought meant right way but really means in like the near future. I tried to put a time on it but simply impossible), ‘ish’ when you are like complaining about something, and simple one ‘sharp sharp’ meaning when everything is cool. The way I greet and explain things has definitely changed; I find myself using simpler language and sort of adjusting to the English people use here. For instance, asking ‘where is the phone,’ would be rephrased as ‘the phone is where’ – just a few simple adjustments in the English that I feel myself catching onto.

So for the first time I am actually living on my own; cleaning, cooking (attempting), and overall taking care of myself. Not going to lie its actually awesome. I mean I do miss the home cooked meals and pasta as the stable food, but I can’t live like that forever. My independence and confidence has definitely improved from this trip – sorry mom, ready to move out!

So let’s talk Rand n cents. I think I have become one of the cheapest Canadians to have ever come to South Africa. I have always been pretty good with money in terms of budgeting, but I think I'm getting a little ridiculous. I mean I'll bargain anything if the opportunity comes along, down to the last 50 cents. I mean I think I actually got a little upset when the mini-bus driver tried to charge me and extra 50 cents for the fare, which I must embarrassingly admit is the equivalent of about 7 Canadian cents. I think it’s a lot to do with the fear of being taking advantage of as a tourist. Sure it’s nice to have extra money in your pocket left over from your daily budget, but it’s more than that I think. I feel it comes down to race. South Africa, especially Jo’burg is predominately a ‘black’ community. And I soon as I see something interesting on the street to buy, I can see and feel sudden assumptions being made. I know that their starting price is much higher than what they would usually sell that item for, so I engage in what I think are pretty good/simple bargaining tactics. Step 1) Show Interest, Step 2) Ask the price, Step 3) Don’t show interest. Prices seem to naturally decrease after that. I guess you can really never understand prejudice or racism until you are actually experiencing it – whether those assumptions are good or bad, no one should be judged based on colour. I have never felt like the minority before, nor be treated as such – yet I refuse to accept. I will walk in the streets, I will buy from street vendors, and I will be the only ‘white’ guy on the mini-bus. I’ve talked to a lot of people hear and got a lot of different opinions on life and culture in Jo’burg. One thing I feel that is common amongst all of them is that things will never change for the better in terms of post-apartied unless people are courageous enough to bring about change – that is risking vulnerability and challenging common customs that have lead to the ever present segregation of society.

I guess I can look forward to the next assignment, seeing as if my pattern holds, next one should be easy. But I definitely have to give this assignment some credit, pretty intellectually stimulating to say the least. I guess the conclusion is you simply have to change, we simply want to. I am assuming we did not all go on these awesome internships to live exactly the way did back at York; we want out of our comfort zone and desire change. Changes can never bad, definitely always a learning experience. To change or not to change; that is not a question but a simple answer.

Assignment #2 - Set the Scene

This is definitely a much easier assignment than the first. Ive been keeping a journal which I have never done before and thought I would hate doing. But turns out it not only helps with these assignments, but also to make the most of your experience by not forgetting the little details, like finding refuge in McDonalds (explain later).

So I've been in the big bad city of Jo'burg for about 2 weeks now and its just awesome. Awesome at the sense of the similarities to Toronto but also, the very very evident differences. This city is crazy!! First shock, people drive on the other side of the road, and the drivers side is on the left. Totally embarrassing first time I got into a car, as they gave me a strange look like I was about to steal it. Fine. Adjusted to that pretty quickly until I was a pedestrian. In the city of Johannesburg, cars come first, then buses, then people. Pedestrian safety is pretty minimal, especially when they drive on the 'wrong' side of the road. A car or bus turning left on green (Canadian equivalent of right on green) will basically approach a line of crossing pedestrians and basically rev the engine until they move. Ya, pretty crazy. That took a while to get used. Also the very noticeable differences are the consistent barbed wire and high fencing on all buildings in and around the city. Listening to talk radio shows and taxi drivers which I think are the best inside information sources, the four main problems in the city are Unemployment, Crime, Homelessness, and Poverty. These are all clearly evident from driving and walking through the city where people break underground water pipes to get water, and have street trash can fires for cooking/heat. This was definitely all a huge shock for me.

They say you must be crazy to walk in the city at night, which is completely true. But we figured it was Sunday night, the Soccer game is on which is a huge thing, and not to many people are out. We figured we would save some Rand by walking a bit. Sun started setting preety quickly (it was like 530 pm), and never felt more dangerous. We were so happy to find those golden arches of McDonalds and ran in to call a cab. I thought it was absolutely hilarious the fact that in a big city, McDonalds was out sanctuary

I'm probably the least pickiest guy when it comes to food, Ill try anything twice, and once more just to make sure. So Ive been around the city tasting the foods of South Africa, nothing of which I didn't like. Food here is excellent but I had to suffer a few nights before I got used to it. Anyone who comes to South Africa must try Biltong, which is kinda like a jerky but just unbelievably good. Definitely no problems with food.

Housing became an serious issue once my pre-departure housing arrangements fell through. We spent about two weeks looking for a place to live while we stayed at the supervisors house which I couldn't complain about. I think the first part of culture shock was here, never having to look for a place to live and living in only two houses my entire life. Ive moved housing 3 times in 2 weeks and it was almost unbarring. I never craved my warm queen sized bed so badly. But now that we have found a place things are much better and feel right at home. Residential area makes all the difference and being in a safe neighbourhood in Johannesburg is a rare thing. Very grateful.

There is one thing that I almost forgot to add and its the people. This is one of the more positive differences between Toronto and Johannesburg. People that you may have just met or know through friends of friends will invite you to their house, have dinner, and share their lives with you and you with them. People are so friendly, a characteritic I would find weird back home. I will stress that it is not buildings or cars or even economics that make a city what it is. It is people and in that fact I would call this one of the richest cities in the world

My Rant about Urban Sustainability.

So Ive made a point to recognize the environmental issues associated with the city of Johannesburg. From pursuing my third year as a major of Chemistry and a minor of Environmental Studies, I am naturally drawn towards the many issues of sustainability within the city. I am all for green energy, green cars, and public transportation. I am also for reduced emissions, public transportation, recycling, and environmental education. In fact one of the projects I am working on has to do with just that sort of education, which is an amazing opportunity.But here's the thing: In Toronto, we have the resources, education, and opportunity to choose between public water and bottled water, garbage or recycling, switching lights on or off. What I've noticed here is that people cant afford bottled water, there are no accessible means of recycling, and leaving the lights is done as a security measure. Also how can you promote environmental education when only 40% of the university students are literate (un-cited source from local)? I am never one to put education second to anything because I feel its absence is the cause of most if not all issues. But it seems as though before the global environment can be addressed on a serious level, people need to sustain their own local environment - I guess think globally act locally. I find a lot of difficulty throwing plastic bottles in garbage or leaving the light on when I leave the house, but it seems as though those values need to be put on hold as security seems to come first. Change is difficult, but definitely necessary. The what and the why is easy, but the how is the hard part.

Anyways that's my rant.

This was an awesome assignment.

Assignment #1 - Define Your Culture

I'm not sure why I prolonged writing this assignment. I mean I have Internet access, its no Rogers Hi-Speed but it works, and the work that I'm doing at my placement required me to be on the computer. Nonetheless, Ive found myself uploading pictures rather than posting blogs. Sure the pics are great but I guess me prolonging this assignment has something to do with how difficult it really is. I mean you are your worst critic, how can you fully define yourself in terms of culture? Anyways I'll wing it and try it now.

In my defence, waiting to write this assignment did have its benefits. I've met a completely awesome person (Yverick who is the other intern on this trip), who actually didn't arrive until a week after Ive been in this crazy city, Johannesburg - South Africa that is. Indirectly, I think I can define my culture from what he has helped me realise. But to start I think I have a few thoughts of my own.

Yes I am Canadian! which has granted me so many privileges that I now can fully recognize. But I am also second generation Italian (both parents born in Italy), so I have definitely have been impacted on that aspect of culture. I'm talking 7 course weddings, traditional September sauce making day, and the stereotypical stubbornness which unfortunately I posses to some degree. But after meeting with a friend of a family friend here in the city, she has actually made me realise how difficult anyone's life can be who born from a second generation. For example, I was born in Canada but raised Italian. So I have the cultural and Italian upbringing of my family but also the very important everyday social interactions of Canadians. So you are being influenced by what your parents think is right or what they tell you is right, and the many influences from your very important social life. So how do you choose, or how do blend the two into making some sense of what your culture really is? After I had that conversation with that friend of a family friend, I realised that you don't really have to chose or even make sense of it, you just kinda need to accept, embrace, and adapt to the many influences coming your way.

Even if that makes sense, things get thrown back into the culture blender when you realize that people can have completely different culture as you do. Sure that makes sense; different background, experiences, influences, etc. etc. But when you try to establish a common ground with someone like this, you definitely run into a few obstacles. For example, as an Canadian-Italian, (yes Canada comes first), I have definitely been privileged with so much and realise that not everyone lives like this. In fact, many people have struggled and worked very hard to achieve even half of what I take for granted. As a acknowledge this, I want to travel and see the struggles of people and take a step to understanding them. There are many people who don't embrace this kind of idea because they have already struggled and worked up to a 'good life'. They most certainly don't want to go back.

So through my rambling, I hope I've answered the question, or maybe not. I guess that's kinda of the point; the attempt since there is no right or wrong answer. All I know is that I am an Canadian-Italian, privileged not in the sense of education, economic, or social status, but the fact that my culture can change at any time based on the infinite influences by the many interactions of people of completely different cultures.

Pre-Departure - Written on: Tuesday May 26th, 2009

Excitement, nervousness, yeah a little bit of everything. Getting ready for this trip has been preety stressful but im sure it will be all worth it. I just got all my banking and accomodation information settled so just need to pack, but how do you pack for 3 months? Anyways expect and accept the unexpected.