On August 27th, 2006, I departed from the Portland, Oregon airport to begin an incredible, life-informing year in Cape Town, South Africa. Upon my arrival in this beautiful country of extremes, I was introduced to the sub-Saharan African ideology ubuntu – defining oneself through one’s relationships – which I came to better understand through my interactions with the country’s diverse and people and dynamic culture.

During the first three months, I had the privileged opportunity to join other students and professors on a three month safari in “the bush,” where we learned about and researched the land and animals unique to South Africa. I spent the remainder of my time on the tip of the African continent, in Cape Town, where I volunteered on an HIV/AIDS ward in a public hospital and worked with my peers living in the Nyanga township.

The experiences offering my skills, resources and enthusiasm in these underserved communities were socially, culturally and emotionally challenging and truly opened my eyes to both devastating and inspiring circumstances.