On Exchange in South Africa
Earlier this year, we were lucky enough to spend time on Round Square exchanges in South Africa—Lila in Cape Town for three months and Lachie in Johannesburg for two. It was honestly one of the most transformative experiences of our lives.
When most people think of South Africa, the first images that come to mind are lions, safaris, or poverty. What we found instead was a country full of vibrancy, diversity, resilience, and joy. South Africa is often misperceived, but living there showed us the truth: a place bursting with creativity, optimism, and an energy that seemed to shine through every single interaction.
First Impressions
Even though we were in the same country, our environments were very different—Lachie in the chaos and opportunity of Johannesburg, and Lila by the coast in Cape Town. What we both felt straight away, though, was how welcoming and open South Africans are. The nerves of stepping off the plane disappeared quickly, replaced with a real sense of belonging thanks to our host families, who made us feel instantly at home.
Yes, South Africa has its challenges with crime and inequality, and we definitely noticed that. But what stood out far more was the friendliness, humour, and positivity of the people we met. Lila couldn’t believe the beauty of Cape Town in real life, while Lachie was struck by the contrast of poverty and affluence—but also by the resilience and community spirit everywhere.
A Different Way of Life
Daily life was full of differences from home. School started a lot earlier—7:00am for Lachie and 7:20am for Lila—but finished earlier too, which left plenty of time for sport and activities. We both went to single-sex schools, something we weren’t sure about at first, but in the end, we really valued the strong friendships, the focus, and especially the energy and school spirit that came with it.
We also had to adapt to new languages and slang—Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu, and unique South African phrases that made us laugh once we got the hang of them. Learning to communicate across cultures was challenging at times but ended up being one of the most rewarding parts of our exchange.
Beyond the Classroom
What made exchange so special went far beyond school. For Lachie, rugby was at the heart of his experience—training hard, travelling with his team, and playing in intense derby matches where the war cries and school spirit created something unforgettable.
For Lila, highlights included safaris, hiking, bungee jumping, shark cage diving, and plenty of time by the ocean. But more than the activities, it was the friendships that made the biggest impact—both with other exchange students from around the world and with her host family, who quickly began to feel like her own.
Lessons for Life
Looking back, it wasn’t just the breathtaking landscapes or adrenaline-filled adventures that stood out to us. The biggest lessons came from being fully immersed in a multicultural country and stepping so far outside our comfort zones. We learned resilience, independence, and empathy in ways that no classroom could ever provide.
Exchange gave us a whole new perspective on the world and showed us what’s possible when you dive headfirst into a different way of life.
Why South Africa?
South Africa might not have been our first choice when we signed up for exchange, but now we can’t imagine going anywhere else. The mix of natural beauty, cultural richness, school spirit, and community warmth makes it such an extraordinary destination.
South Africa has inspired us and made us appreciate the world in a whole new way. We’ll definitely be back—and if you’re a Year 9 student thinking about exchange, we’d absolutely recommend choosing South Africa.
Lila Sims and Lachlan Mayes
Year 10
