culture shock

The following views and observations are my own. I am aware that these may not be completely informed opinions, but they're what I've got. Also, this is probably going to be a long one, but I have a lot to share (sorry). 

/// via keri on Flickr

A while ago, I thought about starting one of my posts with something snarky about the culture shock that was bound to happen according to the information given to me during my preparations to study abroad. It's natural, it's ok, it will pass, just identify it and move on, seek help if you need it, they'd said. In my mind, I was going to write something along the lines of "Unless some terrible fate is about to come upon me, I don't think this rumored 'culture shock' is going to be a problem." I don't usually buy into superstitious things like jinxing yourself, but I did sense that writing something like that was just asking for it. And since knocking on wood clearly won't fix something that you've published on the internet, I decided against drafting that sarcastic post.

Oh, but I never did take back those ideas that had already been thought, and suddenly I found myself sitting in my dorm room after over a week of cancelled classes feeling just a bit homesick.

A group of students had been striking on campus. The protest started quietly on Friday, August 17th, when my friend Danny had his lecture cut short, and the group of students came back full-force on Monday, causing mass cancellation of lectures throughout the week.

It was all hard to understand; I still can't comprehend how a group of students (around 100 or so) could cause that much disruption. In the words of one of my religion instructors, "No one strikes like South Africans," and I don't think any statement could be more true. 

The group of students was rallying for increased dorm security and for meal plan money to be distributed, both valid issues. The way the students ran the strike was by walking through the main academic buildings singing and chanting while they entered each lecture hall one by one start at the start of every lecture period. Because this striking method has apparently been utilized before, the other students and professors seemed to know the drill - they packed up and left before anything could happen. Once the protesting students entered the lecture, refusing to leave was not an option; they would simply drag you out of the room, or so I'd heard.

That's the thing, though, is that nothing does happen. None of my classes actually had a run-in with any of these protesters. Everything seemed to be moved along by the simple fear of what they might do. That was understandable, but nothing, and I mean nothing, was being done to stop them. 

The administration of UKZN is located at the Westville Campus, about a twenty minute drive from Howard College, my campus. They apparently weren't willing to take a trip across town to see firsthand what was going on because I received emails from them stating "We have been informed that five students have been arrested." and "We have also received reports that after the police left campus, the protesting students gathered behind the EGM Malherbe Library, burning tyres, smashing bottles and throwing bottles and stones at the contract staff security." [emphasis added]

What really got me was the uncertainty. Some of my lecturers emailed me to tell me class was cancelled, but others didn't notify the class. Then, I'd show up and no one would be there. Although there were several students who helped me out, I still felt totally out of my element at times. I remember my mom telling me that back when I was first starting school, her only advice to the administration who assigned me to my teachers was that "Emma doesn't handle chaos well. She can't learn that way." I guess that's still true, and it came back to get me. I despise uncertainty. I'd rather have them tell me all my classes are cancelled for the week rather than waiting to hear last minute updates. Oh, it was frustrating. 

And you know how when you're frustrated, every little thing starts to annoy you more and more? Oh, yes, I was feelin' that.

Thankfully, the students and administration were able to meet and work out a solution, and the strikes were over about a week after they started. Some of my classes are still trying to catch up after the numerous lecture periods that were missed, but at least I'm back to my beloved certainty. I know where I need to be and when I need to be there. I am content. 

Regardless, I suppose I'm thankful for the experience, for the opportunity to see how situations are handled in a foreign culture. Plus, I'm now even more thankful for the relatively effective police and university administration that I've enjoyed back in the states. They might be irksome at times, but really they do a pretty good job of getting things done when they need to. 

On a lighter note, I've gotten so behind on telling you about my adventures. I'll be posting this week about my adventures to Moses Mabhida Stadium and St. Lucia... fun!