By Elizabeth Assimes
Hi! I'm Liz, a soon-to-be third year in Rotman Commerce. I am specializing in Management with a double focus in Finance and Strategy & Innovation, along with a minor in Economics. One thing that may surprise you is that I've lived in 6 major cities (Montreal, Athens, Vancouver, Melbourne, Boston, and Toronto)! This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the 2024 South Africa Summer Abroad program, and it was truly a transformative experience.
A Memorable Encounter with Wildlife
One particularly memorable experience from my Summer Abroad was visiting a nature reserve. Ever since I was young, my favorite animals have been elephants and lions—elephants because my name is Elizabeth, and lions because they are powerful and fierce. When I learned I had the opportunity to see both in one day, I was over the moon with excitement. Of course, we saw other animals too, such as ostriches, rhinos, hippos, zebras, antelopes, oryx, baboons, and a giraffe. However, the moment that stands out the most was seeing the elephants. There were four of them traveling together, and since elephants are naturally friendly animals, they came towards our truck to say hello! They demonstrated how they like to cool off by putting cooled sand on their bodies and then continued on their way. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to see elephants and lions in the wild, and this experience was a dream come true.
Advice for Prospective Summer Abroad Students
If you're considering applying to the Summer Abroad program, my advice is to absolutely go for it. This experience is not just an academic opportunity but also a chance for personal growth and cultural immersion. First and foremost, make sure you go into the experience well-prepared. Research safety concerns, weather conditions, local customs, etc. This will help you feel more confident and comfortable during your stay. While it's important to be knowledgeable, try to enter the program without rigid expectations. Allow yourself to be open to new experiences and ready to adapt to the unexpected. This mindset will help you fully appreciate and enjoy the diverse cultural and learning opportunities that come your way. Use your free time wisely—explore the local culture, engage with the community, and participate in activities that enrich your understanding of the area. Don't let opportunities slip by; remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight back home!
The Best Undergraduate Experience
The Summer Abroad program has been my favourite undergraduate experience for several reasons. Firstly, I am a huge advocate for experiential learning, which is often challenging to achieve in typical lecture settings with large student-to-teacher ratios. The Summer Abroad program offered a unique opportunity to interact deeply with the material, my classmates, and our professors. Before this program, my smallest class size was roughly 60 people, with most lectures having 200-400 students. Being in a classroom setting with only 18 students allowed us to forge better connections with one another, allowing us to learn more about each other and the project scope. The Summer Abroad program transformed me by giving me the confidence and opportunity to apply the skills I've learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios. It served as a powerful reminder that the knowledge and abilities I've gained in my courses are not just theoretical, but practical in the real-world. The combination of small class sizes, hands-on learning, and cultural exposure makes the Summer Abroad program an unparalleled experience that has profoundly shaped my undergraduate journey.
Broadening Perspectives on Global Issues
One example of how Summer Abroad broadened my perspective on global issues and cultures was witnessing the extreme socio-economic disparities in South Africa, which has the highest Gini coefficient in the world. The day before our first meeting with our entrepreneurs and visiting the townships, my friends and I explored Camps Bay, one of Cape Town’s most expensive neighborhoods, situated beautifully between Lion's Head mountain and the oceanfront. The stark difference between the lifestyles in Camps Bay and Langa highlighted how deeply entrenched inequalities impact a country's development and governance. Before traveling, I had few preconceived notions about South Africa. With this stark inequity in mind, I quickly learned that wealth is not solely determined by income. Western culture often equates wealth with money, rooted in capitalism. The people of Langa, and more broadly of Cape Town, showed me that true wealth lies in community, culture, and a love for life and people.
My Summer Abroad experience has enriched my academic journey and personal growth in ways I never imagined. It’s an opportunity I highly recommend to anyone looking to broaden their horizons and deepen their understanding of the world.