"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."

Life in South Africa is so rich, so diverse, and yet sometimes so unexpected that I found myself waking up every day excited to see what new adventure I would find. The biggest impact that studying abroad has had on my life was learning how to appreciate even the smallest of details in a new environment. Initially, you'll miss your university in the states, you'll miss your favorite food, you'll miss your parents. Then at some point, whether it's 5 weeks or 5 months into living in Stellenbosch, you'll refer to your apartment in Concordia as home, you'll crave an ostrich sausage, and you'll be on the phone trying to convince your parents you need to stay for another term. You will meet some of your best friends while studying abroad because when that semester ends, there really is nobody else in the world that can relate to those kinds of feelings. The international staff at Stellenbosch plans fantastic trips that get you to see the country but they also encourage you to explore on your own. Take advantage of the clubs through the university and take a course that isn't only offered to international students; you can learn a lot from the South African students as well.