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It's the Little Things: Reflections on My YES Year

Rsa Sibahle And Hostsisters

Sibahle is one of 14 alumni who will be attending the YES Alumni Social Entrepreneur Workshop in Alexandria, VA from March 20-23, 2017. Look for more on these participants in the coming weeks as they work on changemaking projects!

By Sibahle Muthwa, YES 2014-2015, South Africa, hosted by FLAG in Holt, MI

Whenever I look back on my year abroad, I am filled with an overwhelming feeling of love and gratitude. What love is this that one would open up not only their home, but also their hearts and their lives to a perfect stranger?

My year abroad was spent in the cold outskirts of Lansing, Michigan, quite a contrast from sunny Durban, South Africa. As should be expected, my year was filled with ups and downs but the highs most definitely outweighed the lows.

Rsa Sibahle Gingerbread Houses

I became a part of the Sempsrott family, and with that came a whole new outlook on life. I had the opportunity to teach them about the history of South Africa and my cultural background. On the reverse side, they taught me how to walk on ice without tumbling over, the difference between milk and creamer and what it’s like to wake up on a Christmas morning and find gifts under the tree.

Rsa Sibahle Ice Skating

Thanks to the Sempsrott family, I experienced building a snowman, living through a white Christmas, the beauty of hot chocolate on a cold day and the joy of family game nights. Of course there were big adventures, like my birthday trip to Chicago, trips to Cedar Point and Michigan adventure and spring break in Florida, but as amazing as it was to see more of America, what truly captured my heart were the little things. Small moments, like looking to the sidelines during my school lacrosse games and seeing my family rooting for me, spending Friday nights at Gram Gram’s house, cuddling on the couch and watching Netflix on cold nights, and volunteering at church as a family, actually made the most impact on me. A lot of people think a successful exchange program is made by elaborate adventures and wild experiences, but that’s not where the heart of the matter lies. A successful exchange is made at home, in the little things.

Rsa Sibahle And Host Parents

During my year in the U.S., I completed over 80 hours of community service. I had the opportunity to tutor autistic students, build with Habitat for Humanity and serve at soup kitchens. I got to teach students about South Africa, xenophobia and current third world social issues. Over time, all of these experiences, particularly the volunteer experiences, became a part of me and led to my decision to major in Social Development and Sociology in university. I gave a lot of myself to my experience in the States, but the U.S. also gave a lot back to me and for that, I will always be grateful.


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