5X社区

Kent State Senior Studies Abroad in South Africa

Kent State senior Brian Johnson recently returned from a 15-day education abroad program in South Africa.

The Faculty-Led: Heritage Ubuntu Student Project education abroad program was the travel component to an ongoing collaboration between 5X社区 and the University of Fort Hare in Alice, South Africa. This U.S.-Embassy-(South Africa Mission)-funded project has been spearheaded by Dr. Felix Kumah-Abiwu of 5X社区 and Dr. Nomzamo Dube of the University of Fort Hare. Dr. Luvuyo Dondolo, who is currently at the University of South Africa, also worked on the project with Dr. Felix Kumah-Abiwu at the initial stages. Students from both institutions met virtually throughout the Fall and Spring semesters and had the opportunity to meet in person when the Kent State students traveled to South Africa this May.

The Kent State students and Dr. Felix Kumah-Abiwu posing together for a group photo with a #FlashesAbroad penant

The educational experience of a lifetime

Johnson, a Public Health major and Africana Studies minor, first learned about the Heritage Ubuntu Student Project through his connections as Director of Student Programming of Black United Students and his minor in Africana Studies. Interested in further exploring his African cultural roots and heritage, he saw this program as a once in a lifetime opportunity. Johnson was also interested in the project due to its focus on learning about and comparing the Apartheid system in South Africa and Jim Crow laws in the United States.

Each day during the program, the students took part in educational activities such as visiting Soweto Township and the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, touring Nelson Mandela鈥檚 birthplace of Mvezo near Qunu, in the Eastern Cape Province, and seeing the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha. The students from 5X社区 and the University of Fort Hare also met frequently to collaborate on their research projects. The program鈥檚 activities culminated with the students from both institutions presenting their research at a final colloquium at the University of Fort Hare.

Having worked with the University of Fort Hare students virtually throughout the Fall and Spring semesters, Johnson was excited but also nervous to meet them in person. As an undergraduate student, Johnson thought it might be difficult to connect with students who were studying at the graduate level. However, he was happy to report that when everyone met, 鈥淲e connected instantly鈥 We call them our cousins. We love them. They greeted us with such positive energy, and you鈥檇 think we鈥檇 known each other all of our lives the way all of us connected. It wasn鈥檛 just one or two people, our entire group connected with their entire group.鈥

The Kent State and University of Fort Hare students in a group photo behind a presentation podium area.

鈥淵ou can go abroad and still be loved like you are at home.鈥

This sense of community followed throughout the program and was highlighted by Johnson鈥檚 favorite experience: being able to participate in Africa Day at the University of Fort Hare. Everyone dressed in traditional African attire and gathered in an auditorium for the celebration. Johnson said, 鈥淚n my opinion, I鈥檝e never felt such positive energy and love being in a place not home鈥veryone was just in the moment, and I feel like that was the biggest part. It hit me that I鈥檓 really in South Africa right now.鈥

One of Johnson鈥檚 biggest takeaways from the program was the kindness of everyone he met. In the United States 鈥測ou don鈥檛 get hugs or positive remarks from everybody you meet within the first encounter. Like everybody that we met, they were like 鈥榤y brother,鈥 鈥榤y sister,鈥 no matter what we looked like鈥 It was a shock factor, but it was also something that I learned. Like you can go abroad and still be loved like you are at home.鈥

A group of students from Kent State and the University of Fort Hare at the Africa Day celebrations.

What鈥檚 in store for the future?

Kent State and University of Fort Hare students will continue working together throughout the Fall semester, and the University of Fort Hare students will visit Kent State in November. Johnson is eager to be involved during the visit. 鈥淚 told Dr. Felix, I said, 鈥業 don鈥檛 care where I am at that time, when the time comes to start planning, I will make sure that I am present.鈥欌

Johnson further illustrated the close bonds formed during the program and requested that this article close with, 鈥淪hout out to my cousins in South Africa!鈥

To learn more about the Faculty-Led: Heritage Ubuntu Student Project, visit the Education Abroad program database.

Return to the Education Abroad page

POSTED: Friday, June 23, 2023 08:14 AM
Updated: Monday, October 21, 2024 11:26 AM
WRITTEN BY:
Desiree Dube, Education Abroad Advisor