s I was delivered to the steps of the Collegiate Girls Hostel just after arriving in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, I had no idea just what the next three months would hold. I knew I would not be finding lions in the garden outside or students in tribal dress. What I didn’t know was what incredible experiences were ahead.

As a student teacher through the Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching (COST) program, I chose to do my practical teaching experience abroad. Of the countries within the consortium, South Africa came to the top of my list. The partnership is with a university in Port Elizabeth – on the central southern coast of the country.

All of the arrangements were made for me to be placed at Collegiate Girls High. This semi-public, semi-private school for girls is considered one of the best schools in the country. It also includes a boarding house with boarders from as far as the capital city of Johannesburg, and the country of Botswana. As the only all girls’ high school in Port Elizabeth, Collegiate prides itself on its tradition and high standards. The girls wear uniforms, follow many disciplinary rules and show the utmost respect to teachers.

From my first day I was warmly welcomed by the staff and diverse mix of students as a part of the Collegiate family. As the term progressed we had many special functions with much pomp and circumstance. I was included as a full member of the faculty for all of these special events.

I was placed with the Home Economics teacher of the school and taught classes from grades 10–12. We completed units on foods and cooking and moved into textiles, housing and family studies through the term.

Home Economics is a choice subject for students in grades 10–12. Students choose what subjects to take starting in grade 10 and stay in those same seven subjects until graduation. Home Economics has the same weight and value as a student choosing to take history, geography or “maths.”

Beyond teaching classes, I was able to get involved with many aspects of school life. From the parent club to catering special events; from the Student Christian Association to the hiking club; from invigilating exams to carols duty, I experienced it all.

Living at the hostel with the 68 boarders was a definite highlight of my experience. I was able to invest in my students outside of school and fulfill a role of “big sister” to a whole group of girls who live away from their families. Although this was definitely a unique situation, I decided to make the most of it and find the balance between friend and teacher for these months.

I was able to do much mentoring and listening to girls who were homesick or having problems with roommates or in their Bible study. I was also able to congratulate them on good marks, and take pictures before big events.

The girls were continually doing things to make me feel at home. From notes and daily hugs to their own tour of the city, the boarders were an incredible part of my experience.

Beyond the school environment, many of my weekends as well as school holidays and a couple of weeks at the end of my stay were spent experiencing the rest of South Africa. I traveled along the garden route by the coast to many beautiful beaches and towns, up to the mountainous Karoo, to game parks, to the capitol city, and to the country of Lesotho.

In the evenings and on weekends I worked to develop an understanding of how South Africans think and live by forming relationships with people my own age, adults and youth. My goal was not to be a tourist, but to become like a South African, even if only for a short time.

Student teaching abroad has been the most incredible semester of my life. I would recommend to anyone who is up to the adventure to participate in the COST program. It is a life-changing and eye-opening experience which will not soon be forgotton.

I came to teach in South Africa, but I leave having been more of a learner.