Over spring break, PolyGlobal returned to South Africa for the third time to continue its partnership with the iThuba Education Program and Leap High School in Langa Township, Cape Town. Blending recreation, service learning and cultural exploration, the trip centered on three goals: fostering a relationship with iThuba and Leap High School, deepening students’ understanding of service and studying South African history.

“Meeting the iThuba students was such a beautiful moment, and I have never felt so welcomed and embraced into a community before,” shared junior Kristina Potter, one of the fifteen students on the trip. Students explored several key cultural sites, including Cape Town’s Diamond Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art of South Africa.

“The importance of perspective followed us as we made our way to the Museum of Contemporary Art of South Africa and saw the way different artists expressed different parts of their identity, history, and culture,” shared junior Elissa Henry.

Beyond cultural exploration, Poly collaborated with iThuba and Leap High School to brainstorm solutions to support the iThuba students’ growth. Another highlight was a panel discussion about South African politics, where students listened to adults speak on issues like gender-based violence and property rights.

“We got to hear different perspectives, some of the nuances and complexities of these issues,” noted Director of PolyGlobal Rick Caragher, who led the trip alongside chaperones Middle School Dean of Academics and Student Life Sarah Wolf and Lena Etoka.

Despite navigating cultural differences and twelve official languages, including Zulu, Afrikaans, Xhosa, and English, students forged meaningful connections with locals.

“Although leaving South Africa was so sad, it tested and reinforced the relationships I made. I still talk to a lot of the students frequently, and I know that I’ll have lifelong friends in Cape Town,” continued Potter.