What inspired you to travel abroad?
I would say that my biggest personal motivator for going abroad was the sense of wonder and awe that comes from going to a completely unfamiliar setting. Travel can be a very powerful and life-changing experience that truly can't be replicated in any other way other than doing it yourself. It's enabled me to be a risk taker, yet grounded in so many ways in getting to see different cultures and reminding myself of the true privilege that travel is.
Why did you choose Penda Photo Tours?
After finishing high school, I decided to take a gap year to reset myself and have some time to think about some personal long-term goals. I picked up photography and found myself really enjoying the process behind the medium, from composition, and framing to editing. The Penda humanitarian photography project was just what I was looking for, not only enhancing my photography skills but getting involved firsthand in meaningful community-based programs related to animal and child welfare. I was incredibly honored to work with some amazing individuals doing marvelous work for such important causes in the city of Cape Town under the mentorship of Anna Lusty.
What was your favorite part about Cape Town, South Africa?
The breathtaking beauty of South Africa is almost indescribable at times. The Cape Town area is no exception as it boasts a unique mix of sandy beaches, historic architecture and towering mountains flanked by vast vineyards. There is absolutely no shortage of what to do when you are in Cape Town.
I especially enjoyed the Table Mountain hike that I took with my fellow interns, as well as going on a wine farm tour in neighboring Franschhoek. You can even book tickets for a silent disco at Clifton Beach for a truly unforgettable time! Likewise, the warmth I received from everyone during my stay and in meeting new people made me feel right at home in no time.
A group of us went to Clifton Beach for a silent disco party. We had such a great time!
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
My experience abroad allowed me to learn so much from the work and stories of different people through the projects that I was involved in. Particularly in the aftermath of a devastating fire in the Masiphumelele area, I was inspired every day by the people working to rebuild the community and getting to show that in my own photography. I also got to shoot a doggie-and-cat calendar for the animal welfare organization “Tears” which was a delight!
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
Everyone involved in the program was incredibly supportive and hospitable in every way. Especially being my first time in South Africa, I appreciated the talks I had with the program staff about certain cultural sensitivities in the way it would inform us as interns on our various assignments. Our accommodation providers were also very caring, especially in the event of possible COVID risks, and kind enough to take us around town for any necessities.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
After my amazing internship experience, I hadn't realized just how short three weeks could be. If I could, I definitely would have planned to stay longer (even just for another week or so) to spend more time solo traveling and exploring different areas that I hadn't been able to. In a more practical sense, depending on the country you're coming from, a local prepaid SIM is a must-have if you wish to travel solo.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
At around 8 am, I would wake up and go downstairs for breakfast and plan for the day with my program partner. Usually by 9 am, we would be picked up by our mentor Anna Lusty and driven to where we had an assignment that day. Some days were fairly short, taking only a few hours before we were back home but most days were quite busy with shoots taking up the whole day.
Being the summer period, I always carried protective sunscreen, a hat, and lots of water. At the end of the day's shoot, we would have a short briefing going over the images that we took and discussing when to send them after editing. Dinner would be ready by 6 pm or so by the time we got back, where everyone in the house would sit together for a meal. We even made a schedule for dish duty!
Sipping on wine for a wine tour in Franschhoek, South Africa. I highly recommend it!
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
Getting to spend time with the other interns was definitely the most fun aspect of my time abroad. Whether it was trips to the beach, hiking, wine tasting, or having dinner together, these are times that I will greatly cherish forever. In my own downtime, I would take the opportunity to soak up the sun from my balcony and enjoy the breathtaking views of the bay and mountains of the Noordhoek area. Sometimes I would read a nice book or take some time to edit photos from different assignments that week.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
My accommodation was a shared guest house in Noordhoek, within the Cape Town area and I was lucky enough to get my own room with an amazing view of the Cape peninsula's Atlantic side and Hout Bay's mountains. Downstairs we all shared the kitchen so we all got to interact quite often as interns, and with the owners as well. The house had an amazing warmth and feel to it, and boasted incredible artwork all around the property. Not to mention, two lovely dogs are always there to keep you company.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Have an open mind and be ready to adapt to situations likely unfamiliar with your home environment, especially in a different country. The nature of fieldwork experience means that it's inevitable that things don't always go to plan, which rather frustrating at times still encourages one to learn the importance of rising to the occasion.
Would you recommend Penda Photo Tours to others? Why?
I would definitely recommend the program to any prospective photographer, or those seeking a meaningful experience abroad. Not only is it a chance to push yourself outside your comfort zone, but you learn so much from the experience of others in a different culture with unique perspectives, challenges, and traits. You become more grounded, independent, and much more appreciative of the opportunity to travel.
We made it to the top during our Table Mountain hike up! There were amazing views.
Did Penda Photo Tours provide specific pre-departure Covid support? If yes, tell us what kind of support you received.
Prior to my arrival, I made sure to communicate with the Penda staff to confirm any information regarding testing requirements in South Africa. Thankfully, my worries were relieved as the situation regarding the outbreak of a new COVID-19 variant in the country just a few months prior had improved dramatically through our correspondence.
How did Penda Photo Tours help you stay (and feel) safe abroad amidst the ongoing pandemic?
In many public spaces masking was highly encouraged among the interns, especially in close-contact personal settings with other individuals during photo assignments. We made sure to comply with the necessary measures on sanitizing and keeping a safe distance from others at all times. When a group of interns tested positive, swift and strict isolation ensured I would not get sick and that I could catch my flight back home.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Getting the opportunity to expand one's view of the world and other cultures by travel is truly, in my opinion, a privilege. There is so much to learn, see, and exchange from different countries that makes you reflect on your own background and experiences in a very profound way. I get to feel like a renewed version of myself after my travels which I like to think makes me just a little better because of it.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
The program definitely had a phenomenal impact on my outlook on life and I became a lot more appreciative of my own upbringing. Particularly in the aftermath of the Masiphumelele fire, where I spent a lot of my time during the program, it was touching to see the incredible level of care and dedication by Projekt Ubuntu in their daycare and after-school programs. Likewise, the team at Tears who offered free veterinary services for local pets inspired me daily with their work.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Within the context of the program, I felt inclined to take part in the internship as part of something much larger than myself and to make a positive impact. Albeit a rather short timespan, the incredible connections made with local communities and organizations showcased the importance of collective initiatives which I strive to hopefully involve myself in more in the future.
