- Friends
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Many people will walk in and out your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.”
When asked by someone what you think a true friend is, or what qualities a true friend should have, I often find it difficult to summarize a true friend into a few words. With my SAWIP journey I can say with certainty that, I have truly made the best friends during the past nine months. We became part of each other’s daily lives and became friends with each other friends. My exception to Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote above, I have made true friends that will not only leave footprints in my heart, but I will keep them there forever, because I have made my lifelong friends.
2. Growth
Looking at myself now, after this incredible nine-month journey, I almost struggle to believe it is still the same person. Where is the person that doubted in herself? The person that so many times in the past struggled to network? Where is the person that sometimes didn’t have dedication?
I have grown into a person that want to be a servant of people and work for the good of others, I became dedicated and wholeheartedly committed to my own beliefs and to others’, I have courage, I am brave and I am prepared and willing to sacrifice and give things up for the sake of the people around me.
In all honesty, I am shocked by my own growth. I have reached far beyond my own expectations. I am pleasantly surprised by the person I turned out to be. I am at a place in my life where I don’t want to be anything except this grown person I became.
3. Washington DC
Spending six weeks of the nine-month SAWIP programme in the U.S. Capital, Washington D.C., is definitely without a doubt one of the highlights of my personal SAWIP journey. By just thinking of a few of the attractions I visited during the first few days, I can’t help to fall in love with Washington D.C. all over again. I visited the White House, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, The Memorial of the Korean and Vietnam War, Lafayette Square, The Oval Offices, International Labor organization, Jefferson and Lincoln Memorial and the National Museum of Art et cetera. It is impossible for me to put my Washington D.C. experience into words.
4. Skills
Communication, motivation (be inspired and inspiring others), delegating, taking full responsibility for things, flexibility, strategic planning, and time management are a few of the many skills I have developed during the course of the past nine months.
5. Network
SAWIP = networking.
This experience granted me the opportunity to network with a wide range of people – SAWIP alumni, SAWIP teams from the other Universities, facilitators of work shops, programme coordinators, my employer in Washington and his network of people, the other employees working with me in Washington, my host families and their friends and lastly I also got the opportunity to network with the Friends of SAWIP.
6. Make a difference
Before graduating from the SAWIP programme, each individual is required to take part in a Community Service Project. My two Community Service Projects challenged me in different ways.
My first Community Service Project I was a facilitator for a Women Leadership Academy, challenging me to educate young females in various fields such as empowerment, cancer, practical skills etc. With this Academy, I realized I can use my own life experiences and knowledge to make a difference in young females’ lives and to educate them to make the right choices and life and to feel comfortable to talk openly about various topics.
My second Community Service Project took place at a Baby House where I was a volunteer aiming to make the babies’ lives easier. This project made me realize how extremely privileged I was to be raised by my biological parents and this project challenged me extremely on an emotional level.
7. Team
A team is a group of people with a full set of complementary skills required to complete a task/project, they operate with a high degree of interdependence, share authority and responsibilities, are accountable for the collective performance and a team work toward a common goal.
My team is so much more than the above-mentioned definition. I have a personal bond with every person that was on my team, my team became my anchor through difficult times, motivated me to become more than what I already am, they gave new meaning to the words trust, support, respect, love and group word. My team is not just a group of people I had to work with, but they became my family.
8. Clarify your future plans
From an early age everyone is expecting for you, to have your future plans planned out and exactly how you are going to make it happen. I in contrary to the norm who have their future planned out, struggled to figure out which profession I want to presume, and before becoming part of SAWIP, I only had clarity of one thing – law is not my thing. Getting the opportunity to work in your field at a firm/company in Washington D.C. and getting exposed to various other firms, companies and organizations gave me a new perspective on my future plans and how I want to pursue my career path.
9. South Africa
To be honest, coming back from Washington D.C. was a more difficult experience than I thought it would be. I was extremely excited to see my family and friends, but struggled to be in the same environment I was in before – It often felt as if I had outgrown my surroundings.
Getting back from Washington D.C as a grown individual, not only made me more conscious of the events taking place in South Africa, but it gave me a more clear perspective of the reasons behind the actions. I found that I can more easily put myself in their shoes and grasp what is happening.
Even though a part of my heart is left behind in Washington D.C, I had a renewed appreciation for South Africa’s breathtaking nature and scenery which I started to take for granted after living for 22 years in our country.
10. Make you realize your potential
Initially, when I applied to be part of SAWIP, I was unsure if I will be accepted. I doubted in myself and my potential of being part of this incredible group and if I have the abilities good enough to be successful. I doubted in my own potential – will I be able to cope in Washington D.C? Will I be able to execute the tasks and responsibilities expected from me?
Looking back, yes I definitely had the potential to be part of it. I am pleasantly surprised in the person I found out to be! I have the passion and dedication to growing, to push my potential to the limits and to excel in everything I do. Thanks to SAWIP.
Still unsure whether you want to apply? Apply! Do it! You have absolutely nothing to loose, you have so much to gain! You want to be part of the experience; you want to meet your lifelong friends. And last but not the least, you want to push yourself far beyond your limits – you will be shocked to discover the amazing you!