Orientation Week

On the first day of the week, we were divided into our groups, with whom we spent the whole week. Each group had the same program, just on different days. 

But on the first day, we all still had the same program. After some information sessions about our health insurance, the dormitory, etc., and safety instructions (we felt like we heard a hundred times that we have to be careful), we all took three buses to a huge mall. At first, it sounds stupid, but it was necessary because all of us still needed essential things for our shared flats and rooms. So, with the other girls from my flat, we rushed through the mall. However, the hot plates in the dormitory work with induction, and in the short time, we couldn't find any pots and pans for it. So, during the first week, I didn't cook at all, but I always ate out. Fortunately, it's really cheap and super good in South Africa.

On the second day, we had another safety briefing and a small workshop on 'Homesickness and Loneliness'. Then, the groups were mixed briefly again, and we played some more or less funny and effective icebreaker games. In the afternoon, we made instruments out of sticks, wire, and bottle caps, and then we learned traditional Xhosa dances, which was really funny to watch because hardly anyone had a sense of rhythm and body movements, so we all jumped around rather foolishly. 

On the third day, we had a drum lesson and then learned an even more ridiculous dance. It's incomprehensible to me why it looked so great with our teachers and so terrible with us :D

In the afternoon, we went to the Kragga Kamma Game Park, a very small animal reserve nearby, where we rode in a safari jeep. If you have already done larger safaris, it's not that exciting anymore, but the great thing was that we really got to see all the animals. From buffaloes, warthogs, zebras, and antelopes to rhinos, cheetahs, and my beloved giraffes. For me, giraffes are simply the most beautiful animals you can see in South Africa, so graceful!

The fourth day was not that great. The campus tour was on the program. So, we hurried over the campus in the rain. Because our registration was only on Friday, the last day, it didn't really help us because we didn't know which courses we could take, let alone in which buildings they would take place. In the afternoon, we were driven to a diving center, where we were supposed to listen to a five-minute presentation about their offers. There, we get a pretty good discount, but these five minutes were hardly worth the half-hour drive there and back.

Another maybe quite interesting thing on the side: we were told that we didn't have to worry about lunch during the orientation week. But our lunch consisted of a chocolate bar, a small bag of chips, and a bottle of water every day. In general, it's difficult to eat properly on campus. Usually, only burgers, hot dogs, or sandwiches with loads of mayonnaise are offered. But occasionally, there are food trucks, and we found a really good one that also offers healthy options. 

On Friday, we were finally able to choose our courses. This was sometimes quite complicated and very different from what I'm used to in Germany. With the tuition fees here, you have to pay for each module you take - mostly between 1000 and 3000 Rand (about 40-140 Euros).

After registration, we went to the city. Unfortunately, it was raining and stormy here too, so we spent most of the time in a minibus and then in the beautiful Stanley Street in a café. But at least I got to know this nice corner of the city :)

In the evening, there was the big welcome party in a reggae bar on the beach. Very cool location! From there, we continued to the obligatory 'White Tiger', pretty much the only place to go partying in Summerstrand.