By Elizabeth Smith
At Susquehanna, everyone studies abroad. But instead of going on an in-person trip, I did a virtual immersion experience to South Africa and Zimbabwe.
What is a virtual immersion experience? It is an online program designed to deeply engage students in a new culture and language through digital platforms.
I participated in the program called exploring culture and intercultural competence in Zimbabwe and South Africa through EDU Africa.
EDU Africa says some of the program’s goals are “to promote the process of student transformation by utilizing the unique context of Africa to help students broaden their intellectual horizons and grow personally, cross-culturally, professionally and as global citizens.”
When going into the program, I was nervous about how much I was truly going to get out of a virtual program, but it has helped me grow so much.
Through the different virtual engagements, I was able work on my communication skills, adaptability and my empathy towards others. I was also able to build meaningful relationships with the people from South Africa and Zimbabwe by hearing their personal stories.
The program lasted three weeks over winter break. Every day I logged into Zoom with participants from Susquehanna, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
During these Zoom meetings there were many virtual engagements that included interactive gumboot dancing instruction; Soweto virtual site visit; an interactive discussion and workshop with African street artists; an interactive discussion with a freedom fighter and former political prisoner on Robben Island; interviews with locals that turned into presentations and much more.
Throughout the program there were many breakthrough moments where I learned so much, especially during the discussion with a freedom fighter and former political prisoner on Robben Island.
During the program we also had to complete a book assignment about intercultural development. I read “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah, a memoir about his childhood in apartheid and post-apartheid South Africa.
This book explores themes of identity, resilience and the impact of systemic racism through his relationship with his mother, which also gave me an inside look into what we were talking about during the virtual immersion. It is one of my favorite books now.
Something that made this experience truly special was the passion and expertise of Professor Anna Ogunnaike and the facilitators from EDU Africa.
Their knowledge, enthusiasm and genuine interest in our discussions created an engaging environment where students felt inspired to participate, learn and connect more deeply with the material.
Sometimes, traveling in-person isn’t possible due to many different factors, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a meaningful cultural experience.
In these cases, I highly recommend considering a virtual immersion program, which can offer rich opportunities for learning, connection and personal growth.
The program Susquehanna offers with EDU Africa is a great example of providing students with an in-depth look into African cultures and histories by offering interactive sessions, expert-led discussion and meaningful cross-cultural exchanges all from the comfort of your home.