South Africa Trip: The Rainbow Nation
BOSTON, MASS - The Rainbow Nation beckons with life changing experiences for this group of Newman students.
In March 2024, Newman students will travel with English Teacher and College Advisor Ms. Rothman and Student Success Specialist and Grade 7 - 8 Dean Ms. Schafer to South Africa. The goal is to expand knowledge of the world around us and help increase cultural awareness.
On the trip, students will take a guided tour of Johannesburg and visit the Apartheid Museum there. A day trip to the Cradle of Humankind, where they will observe ancient fossils during a guided tour of the Sterkfontein caves, is planned. They will be able to enjoy a toboggan ride at Long Tom Misty Mountain and visit the forest floor of Graskop Gorge.
Newman students will also travel to the Kruger National Park area, where they will take a drive in an off-road safari vehicle and take a morning bush walk.
Then everyone participating in the trip will fly to Cape Town, where they will visit the summit of Table Mountain, take a guided tour of Cape Town, and take a ferry to Robben Island. They will also visit Nelson Mandela’s prison cell, the Boulders Penguin colony, and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. They will discover Cape Point Nature Reserve. Before traveling back home, they will explore Cape Town.
William Brogan ‘25 said, “I chose to go on the trip to South Africa as I am deeply interested in how the country has developed since the apartheid era. I also am very interested to see not just the man-made beauty of the country but also the natural beauty. Being surrounded by the wild will allow me to connect with nature and enjoy all the beauties the world has to offer.”
Erik Briggs ‘26 explains, “I have always been very interested in exploring different cultures and seeing new places, and this trip is really an opportunity that may be once in a lifetime. So, I had to jump at the opportunity and go see a new country for myself.”
Sophia Ahouse ‘28 agrees with Briggs. “I chose to go on the South Africa trip because it looked exciting and I want to travel more.”
Aaron Bemis ‘27 wanted to go on the trip for “new experiences.”
Naya Shalish ‘27 describes, “I only enrolled for the South Africa trip this September, even though it was an option and a recommendation to enroll earlier in June. I was not sure if I wanted to go, even after learning about the itinerary for the trip. After reviewing and contemplating on this, I decided I needed to take this opportunity. I knew that I would regret it if I did not choose to go, so I had to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
The students traveling have many different reasons why they decided to go. Nonetheless, they are all very excited and think it will be a memorable experience. Beckett Tonkovich ‘26 sums it up for all traveling Newman students. “I think it will be fun.”
“I have very high expectations for the trip, as it is South Africa. I want to be able to try the cuisine, see new places, and just be immersed in the culture in general,” said Briggs.
Ahouse adds, “My expectations for the trip are: a. see giraffes, b. see penguins, c. to be tired.”
Brogan explains, “I hope to meet new people from Newman who I haven't had the chance to talk to as much, as I know many of them, but have never had quite as perfect of a conversation starter as this in order to engage with them.”
Bemis expects the trip to be “enjoyable and interesting.”
“During the trip, we are going to visit the Kruger National Park, and visit Capetown and Johannesburg. I am excited to experience nature as well as city life in South Africa. I don’t have any expectations for the trip because I have never experienced anything like this, so I look forward to how it pans out,” says Shalish.
Various perspectives and expectations can be seen. That’s not surprising. After all, Newman students are curious by nature and Africa is a vast and adventurous continent.
Shalish explains, “On this trip, I want to experience the South African way of life by trying new foods, and learning about the culture. During my 8th grade year in 2022, my class read Trevor Noah: Born A Crime, which relates to why Newman is taking this trip to South Africa. I am excited to learn more about Trevor Noah’s life while traveling to his hometown, as well as the many other sites he mentions in his book.”
Tonkovich would like to learn “what Africa looks like.”
Brogan says, “I want to learn more about how the natural elements of the country convert into parts of the culture, such as traditions, celebrations, and even urban planning.”
“As previously stated, I want to learn about the culture and how it differs from other African nations due to its large European influence. Also, I want to learn more about the country’s geography firsthand, as it is a very geologically diverse country and I have a strong interest in geography,” adds Briggs.
Bemis wants to know more “about South Africa and apartheid.”
The students all have similar learning goals for the trip. Ahouse summarizes, “I want to learn about the culture and the life of people who live there.”
At last students were asked if they had been to Africa before.
Briggs explains, “Nope, I have only been to Spain and Canada. So this is an amazing opportunity to see a completely new realm of the world.”
Shalish agrees, “No, I have never been to Africa. I travel a lot, and I have been to many places in Europe, South America, and Asia, but I am really looking forward to traveling to a new continent.”
Newman students participating in the trip have not been to Africa before. Brogan summarizes this, “No I haven't! I hope that it leaves me hoping to come back as soon as possible!”
Overall, the Rainbow Nation appears to beckon with life changing experiences for this group of Newman students. It will be exciting to follow up with them after the trip.
