Hi, my name is Lucia Andrae and from the start of January to Tuesday 13 February this year, I took part in a school exchange to Johannesburg, South Africa. In September last year, my family hosted a student named Kelly Lloyd for five weeks and during my exchange, I stayed with Kelly and her family for five weeks. During my stay, I attended Dainfern College as a Year 11 student and experienced a week of their holiday period and four weeks of schooling.

My first week was Dainfern College’s holiday period, so during this time my host family took me to an area in South Africa called the Pilanesberg, which is home to Africa’s most notorious animals—including the ‘Big Five’ (African lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants and Cape buffalo). Whilst staying at Bakubung Lodge, Kelly, Tom, Guy, Ashley and I went on multiple game drives, which involved driving in shared trucks through the Pilanesberg to observe animals in their natural habitat. On my first night there, we went to a remote part of the mountains where everyone sat at tables around a fire with a braai (the South African equivalent of a barbecue) buffet. While we ate, a group of performers sang and danced traditionally and it was so beautiful to witness. This experience was so enriching for me as I was immersed in South Africa’s culture through food, music, dance and animals.

Attending Dainfern College was another highlight of my journey for multiple reasons. Being able to learn in a new environment around new people helped me to expand my knowledge of education in schools and prompted me to make so many new friends. During my time there, I attended their interhouse swimming gala, visited their sister school for underprivileged children, was part of many school cheers, dressed up in green and gold on their ‘Civvies Day’ (casual clothes day) to support their successful sports teams and so much more.

Due to South Africa’s higher crime rate during my stay, I lived in a gated community. A gated community is similar to a neighbourhood or suburb, just with highly secured fences around the perimeter, along with fingerprint access to gain entry into the estate. During my stay, I also witnessed South Africa’s struggle with poverty firsthand when driving past townships consisting of thousands and thousands of makeshift homes all located in one area. Witnessing such unfortunate living conditions and experiencing such high security opened my eyes to the privileges I take for granted back home.

Overall, my exchange was everything I hoped it would be and more. The lessons and perspectives I gained along the way will stay with me forever, along with the lifelong friendships I made. Knowing I have a second family somewhere so far away can be bittersweet; however, it is such a special thing for me knowing that I will always have these meaningful global relationships.

Lucia Andrae
Year 11