Breaking Stereotypes in South Africa

By Dara Ereshena on August 1, 2012

Recently, I had been given the wonderful opportunity to study abroad in South Africa. Although there were many difficult things to adjust to upon arriving in South Africa, the hardest transition for me was adjusting to the assumed culture imposed on Africans by Americans. I knew very little about South Africa before I studied in Cape Town. I had seen pictures, read travel books and articles, but even with that, I was left pretty clueless. I honestly did not know what to expect, but everyone else apparently did. After learning about my acceptance to study abroad, I made sure to tell anyone who would listen. I was excited and ready to leave, but even though my excitement continued to grow, I met a lot of skeptical people who questioned my decision to choose Africa over Europe. They figured I would be a lot safer in Europe than Africa. People warned me about being kidnapped and raped, and told me to always use a condom because everyone in Africa has HIV/AIDS. People asked me about the wildlife and if I would be living in a small hut. Would I have access to water 24/7? Would there be electricity, air conditioning, or Internet?  Even though I didn’t know much before leaving, I knew that these assumptions were ridiculous.

When I finally arrived in South Africa, it was nothing like the picture that others had painted. It was beautiful, magnificent, and unbelievably enchanting. I lived in an apartment with water, heat, Internet, a TV, and a fully operational kitchen. Next door were other apartments, and there were no lions in sight. Although I spent most of my time in Cape Town, I was able to travel to Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe where I saw some of the lifestyles that people in the US thought were present in the entire continent. Africa is a third world country and there is poverty, but some of the people choose to live in poverty in these small beautifully constructed huts because it builds community. To them, community is much more than money and technology; it is about the closeness and bonds formed amongst others. They open their hearts to everyone, including American tourists (and didn’t hesitate to poke fun at my inability to set up a tent).

Cape Town, South Africa

From Temple University Television

Many people believe that Africa is a primal and savage country, and in some aspects, yes that is true. But Africa, especially South Africa, has come so far despite its poverty. Not all Africans are poor, and most aren’t rapists or kidnappers like many people tend to believe.  Africa is wild, but it is so civilized at the same time. It is understandable to only see Africa through the image of “The Lion King,” because that portrayal can be somewhat true. But there are lots of different images of Africa. If we open ourselves up to that notion, maybe then we can see the remarkable country that has developed so far.

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