Ari, one of the students studying in South Africa with New York University Tisch School of the Arts this semester, shares her sights and sounds of South Africa:
Hey everyone, this is Ari, the first of the bloggers here at the NYU Tisch/WITS study abroad program.
So, it’s only been a week, but it feels like a good four years since I’ve arrived. The weather here is AMAZING, close to 80 everyday, which is surely more than welcome coming from the below-zero wind chill of New York. And yes, thanks to my now forgotten animosity towards sun block; I am quite sunburn and my skin is peeling. Which is very attractive I’m sure.
But on to better topics than dead skin. OK, the people here are wonderful. I thought I’d feel more alienated, and more alone at my time here at WITS, but the other students were not just cordial but ecstatic to meet us. It’s funny to have the South Africans find me exotic for being an American; especially because I want to know everything about everyone I meet. And they want to know everything about me. I’m like: “I’m boring! Tell me your life story.” No, but really, I’ve already made a bunch of good friends here, and had the pleasure of talking to them about their way of life, how it’s changed in these years following apartheid, and South African politics. Politics was and is a hot topic with their pending election, and, much like in America, the young people are thoroughly invested.
The first week we got here was Orientation Week, or “O Week” as it’s more commonly dubbed. O Week was a lot of fun, there were parties and events every day and night, and it gave the NYU group a chance to bond with each other and also meet a lot of other students. The first week I went to a few parties, but mostly just explored the campus and talked to as many people as I could. The group also visited “the outside,” meaning outside of campus. I think I speak for everyone when I say it’s really weird to have an actual campus. Feels like a real college! Transportation here is a bit difficult, but I made friends quick with those with cars. Smart idea.
As far as food goes, there’s a convenience store, plus a whole bunch of fast food joints on campus in a place called the Matrix, but down the street from WITS is a food store that we all ventured to for some much needed snack-age. I’ve been a huge fan of the fruits and vegetables here and they are delicious. I may never be satisfied by a Florida orange again. I have yet to try some good hearty South African cuisine, but I’m planning on it ASAP! I’ve heard Indian food here is really good as well, which is wonderful for a curry queen like me.
As a theatre major, I’ve made it a point to see as many shows as I can here, and also be as invested in the theatre community as possible. I’ve seen three WITS productions, one was a musical, one a physical theatre piece, and the other a one man show, and I was really impressed. I’ve also had the privilege of attending rehearsals for a show that goes up next week called “The Game”, a physical theatre exploration of the games people play with each other. It’s been a joy to just observe and take notes at how the rehearsal techniques, directorial endeavors, and overall group energy here compares and contrasts with my NYU experience thus far. A lot of input from the actors in the show is taken into consideration from what I understand, and many of the shows here are workshop shows starting with actors’ impulses and improvisational techniques. The show that we are doing is a workshop directed by Leila Enrique’s, dealing with the lives of four Americans and four South Africans during a time of change, focused on the night that Osama was elected. We haven’t started rehearsals yet, but I’m dying to. Most if not all of the theatre here is politically charged with issues of race, gender, economy, etc. A lot of what I’ve seen is comedic; they tend to make light of dark situations to kind of make it more accessible.
Most of the students don’t live on campus, but as international exchange students we are staying at the appropriately named International House. It’s right on campus, and complete with a kitchenette and bathroom. Roomy compared to cramped NYU dorms. Plus we have a sundrenched lawn to look out upon.
Classes started this week, and I’m excited to continue. As a performance studies major I am taking movement, voice, comedy, applied theatre, and the arts and culture course. Movement is mostly clowning, which I’ve never done before, so I’m thoroughly intrigued. And the arts and culture course is really just a breath of fresh air; it’s so good to be learning some of the history as my level of understanding this country and it’s struggles is still fledgling at best. I think learning more about it will make this experience that much more informative and add depth to the conversations I’ve been having with the locals. For applied theatre, we’re all creating our own site specific piece working with 2nd year actors, and non-acting community members. We haven’t started official class yet, but it sounds terrifying and challenging in an incredible way.
SO, pretty much that’s about it for now! OH! Also, the South Africans have some really funny phrases. Like instead of saying: “See you later,” they’ll say “I’ll see you now,” or “just now” or (my personal favorite) “I’ll see you now now.” They all connote different amounts of time, though I don’t think I’ll ever figure it out. The first time some one said “I’ll see you now,” to me, I said “Hey! I see you now too! What a pleasure vision is.” They shook their heads at my silly American ways.
OK, now that’s really really it for now. I must be off. Talk to you nownow!
Ari
New York University Tisch School of the Arts offers three spring programs in South Africa:
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