September 2, 2025 • 16 mins
Pippa Hudson speaks to Kiara Mahoney, who’s currently in Panama, and Ntando Seremane, who’s living in South Korea as part of the AFS Interculture programmes.
Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show.
This 2-hour respite from hard news encourages the audience to take the time to explore, taste, read, and reflect. The show - presented by former journalist, baker and water sports enthusiast Pippa Hudson - is unashamedly lifestyle driven. Popular features include a daily profile interview #OnTheCouch at 1:10 pm. Consumer issues are in the spotlight every Wednesday while the team also unpacks all things related to health, wealth & the environment.
Thank you for listening to a podcast from Lunch with Pippa Hudson
Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 13:00 and 15:00 (SA Time) to Lunch with Pippa Hudson broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk
For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/MdSlWEs or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/fDJWe69
Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5
Follow us on social media:
CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk
CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk
CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk
CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
You're with Cave Talk Elsides Papahasen on lunch.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Trevor writing and on the WhatsApp line to say he
is still in contact with students he met on exchange
more than twenty five years ago, particularly close with the
Thai students. Terresa from Germany returned many times and likewise
we went to visit her in Stuttgart. She wished me
happy birthday from Peru just last week, he tells us Trevor,
emphasizing the friendship aspect of a cultural exchange program and
(00:30):
in Wonder the World today we are chatting to two
South African youngsters who are busy taking part in an
international cultural exchange with AFS INTERculture. If you missed our
earlier conversation with him at the start of the show.
The main thing to know is that this is an
international NGO that has a big presence in South Africa
and offers local scholars and students the chance to go
(00:51):
and study or volunteer overseas and to immerse themselves in
another culture. Now joining us via Zoom are two of
their current cohort. Mahoni is currently on exchange in Central
America in beautiful Panama, while Nintando Seremane is exploring life
in South Korea. It's wonderful to have both of you
with us, spanning the time zones we are this afternoon.
(01:11):
Thank you so much for joining us, and welcome to
Cape Talk.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
Hi. Thank you for having us.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
Good, thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
It's a great pleasure. I'm going to ask start by
asking each of you just to briefly introduce yourselves. Tell
us how old you are and how you came to
be involved in the AFAS program in the first place. Kiok,
can we start with you.
Speaker 4 (01:31):
Well, my name's Kiara, I'm nineteen years old. My father
actually did the Airface program when he finished with high school. Yeah,
and just based on what he told me about his experience,
it sounded like something I was really interested in doing.
I really love traveling and having the opportunity to meet
new people. So the whole idea of AFS really gave
(01:53):
me this opportunity. So after finishing high school, it was
something that I looked into and it just seemed like
an amazing opportunity that I really could not miss out on.
And obviously right now I have no regrets. It was
completely worth.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
It, fantastic to hear that, Kira, what made you choose
Panama in particular?
Speaker 4 (02:12):
I have always thought that South America in general is
absolutely beautiful, and of course, while Panama is in North America,
it's always been such an interesting country to me. I've
always wanted to learn Spanish. The nature is beautiful and
the people always seem so friendly, so I definitely think
it was the right choice for me just being in
this environment in general.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
I don't know if our listeners can hear what I'm hearing,
which is the sort of birds chirping in the background,
really emphasizing the wonderful natural environment to you in Kiara,
thanks for that introduction, and Tondo, what about you tell
us a bit about yourself.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Hello, my name is Nintundo.
Speaker 5 (02:49):
I'm twenty years old and I actually heard of Afs
from the internet. Actually, yeah, I saw how wonderful the
experience might be to experience different cultures, different foods, and
just to explore the world further, because the world.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Is quite a bit bigger thing in South Africa.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
And the choice of South Korea, what was it a
place you'd always wanted to go or was it the
place you chose because it seemed the furthest away and
most different from your own culture.
Speaker 5 (03:21):
Well, I chose Asia in particular because just how different
it is from let's say a South Africa, and just
to experience really as being really the only one of
the few people that are just I guess non Asian,
I guess, And just to experience a different culture, and
(03:44):
really to learn the language that the unique language where
you cannot get anywhere.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Else in the world. Really, that's really why I chose.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Okay, Now, I wanted to ask both of you about
how you tackle the language Barrier and Tundle, so you
very deliberately went they're keen to learn a completely different
and new language. Did you do any sort of study
before you got to Korea to try and prepare yourself
or did you literally dive into the deep end arriving
there not speaking any of the language at all.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
I actually came in here without knowing anything, to be honest,
was okay? At first? I was a bit it was.
Speaker 5 (04:18):
It was a bit confusing, as as obvious as that
may sound.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
But honestly, people here are very friendly and pretty.
Speaker 5 (04:27):
Understanding, so they'll be patient with you as we try
to navigate your way in time to communicate with them.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
And more than anything, I feel as if it's and
you challenge.
Speaker 5 (04:41):
You know, I don't really see it as some sort
of barrier, so to speak. I more see it as
a bridge that I just have to build on my
own to further educate myself with cultures and being able
to speak to new and different people to get the experiences.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Okay, do you want to say something for us in Koreaan?
Perhaps good morning and how are you or something like that.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
K Yeah, that's that's that's that's a word for now.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Okay, you've done better than I could, so well done.
Thank you for that explanation. Kiara, what about you? You
said that learning Spanish was one of the real motivators
for you to go to Central America. How are you
getting on in that goal?
Speaker 4 (05:34):
I mean, learning the language has definitely been one of
the biggest challenges, I would say, just because being thrown
into an environment where you don't really know any of
the language and you're surrounded by people that don't necessarily
speak English either, it can be a bit of a challenge,
and the language barrier, of course, can be a problem. However,
it has also been extremely useful and being able to
(05:56):
pick up the language quicker by being forced to speak
it and being forced to be in that environment. And
for me, I've actually really enjoyed having the struggle of
maybe ordering at a restaurant or saying something incorrectly. I've
really enjoyed being able to learn through that, and being
able to be corrected by friends and family members, and
(06:18):
just really being able to put yourself out there in
speaking a language that normally you wouldn't even attempt to speak.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Well, I can't do it in Tondo and not do
it to you, Kiara, Do you want to give us
a sample of your Spanish and how it's got on
so far?
Speaker 3 (06:32):
I'll just say hello, how are you.
Speaker 5 (06:36):
All?
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Commers?
Speaker 3 (06:37):
Dos?
Speaker 4 (06:37):
Okay?
Speaker 3 (06:37):
Well done?
Speaker 2 (06:38):
So you're getting there? And have you like in Tondo?
Find that people found that people are very friendly and
willing to help. You know, you've shown the interest of
going to their country with you know, an approach of
wanting to learn. Are you finding that they're receiving you
with much the same sort of sense of welcome?
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (06:57):
Absolutely, the people here are very welcoming, very friendly. Specifically,
if I approach someone and initially they think that I'm
maybe Panamanian and they hear my Spanish, and they know
I'm definitely foreign. They are so willing to help. They're
so willing to even try and speak English. They're willing
to help me with my Spanish. It has really been
an overall great experience with that.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
I'm so glad to hear it. Kira, tell us a
little bit more about what you've seen of Panama so
far and some of the highlights of what you've experienced there.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
Well, for me, I'm saying in Panama City, which is
the area with a lot of people, a lot of activities,
that kind of thing, and I've really been able to
experience meeting new people and just seeing how people live
on day to day and experiencing not being a tourist,
but actually being a local in Panama. But I've also
(07:48):
had the privilege of going to other provinces and other
areas to see Panama's beautiful nature, the beautiful beaches, and
really being able to immerse in the country and everything
that it has to offer.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Okay, and inn Sando, what about you? Have you had
the chance to explore much of South Korea. Tell us
a little bit more about where you are and what
you've seen so far.
Speaker 5 (08:09):
Well, I'm currently in province I guess called Dejon, which
I think is very nature driven. I really like how
a lot of the things are. It's really peaceful here.
But I've had the chance to actually go to Seoul,
the capital of South Korea, and I've been to a
lot devil, which is a lot of people's dreams, to
(08:31):
be honest.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Central there was an amusement park.
Speaker 5 (08:34):
But a really really big and really amazing amusement park
I went to. I had the chance to go a
lot of rides and really just experience how amazing really
and like how large scale it is compared to like
a lot of South Africas, for example, like the Goldish City.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Yes, in South Africa, it's quite miniscule compared to lovel
to be honest. So it was a a great experience. Yeah,
that's how I've been so far.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Okay, besides the scale of things being so much bigger,
has anything shocked or surprised you have? You found yourself
sort of suffering from culture shock in any way, whether
it was adapting to new food or that they do
something very differently in South Korea from the way you're
used to doing it in South Africa.
Speaker 5 (09:22):
Well, the culture shock for me maybe has been well
to start off with the obvious son and being able
to use chop sticks. Mainly just used to eating with
a four kate knife, but now like my hands, I'm
not quite used to.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
The chop sticks, and also mainly also like.
Speaker 5 (09:43):
The terrain really of South Korea is there's a lot
of hills really here, so it's quite challenging on the feet,
I guess to you old to like walk from you
have to walk around everywhere and whilst they as hells.
But other than that really not much. As I said before,
(10:05):
it's quite people are quite accepting, quite also willing to
teach you some of the cultural norms, like, for example,
not to yell in a in like a bus or
a train. It is quite important to be to be
mindful of your surroundings in terms of not yelling in
(10:26):
a train, always giving the elders or like the pregnant
women a rite or passage always.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
Otherwise. Yeah, it's been, it's been quite fantastic here.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Okay, Kiara. Have you had any moments of real culture
shock or things that have completely surprised you about your
experience in Panama so far?
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Well, I mean, honestly from my experience, I feel like
Panama definitely has a couple of similarities with South Africa,
just in regards to some of the way things work
and the friendliness of the people. I feel like that's
very South African.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
But one thing I.
Speaker 4 (11:02):
Will say, I am vegetarian, so it has been a
bit of a struggle with finding vegetarian meals to eat.
But like I said, people are so open and willing
to help. My family has been lovely and obviously prepares
me really amazing Panamanian vegetarian meals. And yeah, overall, I've
(11:23):
just been able to, of course figure my way around that.
And while of course Panama has a very different culture
than South Africa, It's all been just such a great experience.
I've been able to be immersed in this culture, and
while there have been differences, I wouldn't say that I've
had any negative experiences or felt any any sadness or
(11:47):
unhappiness in the change of culture.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
I've rarely enjoyed every moment.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
Okay, just for anybody who's joining us midway for this interview.
Our guests are two South African young adults who are
both currently taking part in AFS cultural exchange programs. Kiara
Mahoney is nineteen years old currently based in Panama, and Nintando.
Ceremane is twenty years old and spending time in South Korea,
(12:10):
both of them obviously joining us by a zoom this
afternoon to chat to us. And let's talk a little
bit about the things you're missing from home. Kiara, You've
just said you've found it very welcoming and that your
hosts have made you feel so at home. Is there
any aspect of South African life that you felt sort
of tugging at you that you are really missing?
Speaker 3 (12:30):
Well, of course I miss my friends and my family.
Speaker 4 (12:33):
Of course, when you're going on in exchange, you're gonna
miss those main things and my pets of course.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
But overall, I feel like, while there are things that.
Speaker 4 (12:41):
I miss, just the experience of new things in a
different country has really made it worth it.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
So they're say, can I miss something?
Speaker 4 (12:49):
I think of something new that I've discovered, if someone
new that I've met, And it really just makes me
so grateful to be able to have something that I
can miss and something new that I'm experiencing at the
same time.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
Yeah, has it been the same for you in Tando?
I mean, of course, you must be missing loved ones
back at home. But is there anything else that you
you really have you you can't wait to get back
to when your exchange is over.
Speaker 5 (13:12):
Well, to be honest, only I can't wait to get
back to is a good, good old bride, Just a
good old tie and some built on. That's mainly what
I'm missing, really is just the way South Africans do it.
Just a bob, the bride, a good time. That's not
the main thing that I'm missing from home. But otherwise,
I mean, obviously I can just always call my family.
(13:35):
Technology is pee advanced these days, but and that, Yeah,
it's just a bride, some some good bob.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
That's that's that's it.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
Well, those the good news is those will definitely still
be waiting for you when you get home at the
end of this. Don't know what A more serious note,
what do you feel like you've learned about yourself in
the process of going on exchange?
Speaker 1 (13:55):
Well, to be to be honest, I've felt more. I
felt more open to expressing myself.
Speaker 5 (14:04):
I mean, obviously, as a black person in Asia, it's
a bit obviously there will uh the career, there'll be
a bit more curious and because my skin card is
a bit different from them, but I've learned rather than
to shy away from it, rather than I'd rather learned
to be more expressive about it.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
More like dye my hair now get more here. I've
gone a lot more piercings, to be honest, since I
got here as well.
Speaker 5 (14:34):
Yeah, I think that it all told me to just
have more confidence in myself rather than to be in
a shell, because I ultimately I came here to learn
and experience new experiences. So I've just learned to be
more comfortable in my own skin as well through this program.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
That's fantastic to hear. Kiara, Do you feel the same way.
Is there anything else you'd add to that about what
you've discovered about yourself in the pro of leaving South Africa?
Speaker 1 (15:02):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (15:02):
Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (15:03):
I mean I would say just overall, traveling to a
country where you don't know the language, you're not living
as a tourist, you're living as a local. It definitely
forces you to grow your confidence and self awareness in
different ways that you wouldn't normally experience in the comfort
of your own country. And I really feel like just
(15:24):
being able to be here has been such a good
opportunity for growth, for meeting Panamanians and meeting locals, and
as well as meeting other people in exchange, other people
traveling and being able to hear their stories and being
able to understand kind of why they did this as well.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
Yeah, Like there are moments where I'm hanging out with.
Speaker 4 (15:44):
My friends, a friend from Canada, friends from Germany, and
a friend from Panama, and I'm just thinking all of
us in this one group, it's just such a different
experience that you won't have unless you're going on in
exchange or traveling somewhere with this kind of experience.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
So I would say that.
Speaker 4 (16:01):
It's definitely taught me to be just more confident, self
aware and open to other people.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
It's been wonderful listening to both of you talk with
such excitement about how much you are learning not just
about other cultures but about yourselves as well. And I
want to thank you both for making time to speak
to us at what probably is not the most convenient
time of day for you in your time zones. To
Kiara Mahoney joining us from Panama and Nintando Ceremony joining
us from South Korea, thank you for your time this
(16:28):
afternoon and We wish you all the best and continued
enjoyment of the rest of your exchange experience with AFS.
Thank you for joining us on the show today.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
And that's what it's like if you want to explore
the possibility once again. The website to visit for more
information on the AFS program is AFS dot org dot
c A
You're with Cave Talk Elsides Papahasen on lunch.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Trevor writing and on the WhatsApp line to say he
is still in contact with students he met on exchange
more than twenty five years ago, particularly close with the
Thai students. Terresa from Germany returned many times and likewise
we went to visit her in Stuttgart. She wished me
happy birthday from Peru just last week, he tells us Trevor,
emphasizing the friendship aspect of a cultural exchange program and
(00:30):
in Wonder the World today we are chatting to two
South African youngsters who are busy taking part in an
international cultural exchange with AFS INTERculture. If you missed our
earlier conversation with him at the start of the show.
The main thing to know is that this is an
international NGO that has a big presence in South Africa
and offers local scholars and students the chance to go
(00:51):
and study or volunteer overseas and to immerse themselves in
another culture. Now joining us via Zoom are two of
their current cohort. Mahoni is currently on exchange in Central
America in beautiful Panama, while Nintando Seremane is exploring life
in South Korea. It's wonderful to have both of you
with us, spanning the time zones we are this afternoon.
(01:11):
Thank you so much for joining us, and welcome to
Cape Talk.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
Hi. Thank you for having us.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
Good, thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
It's a great pleasure. I'm going to ask start by
asking each of you just to briefly introduce yourselves. Tell
us how old you are and how you came to
be involved in the AFAS program in the first place. Kiok,
can we start with you.
Speaker 4 (01:31):
Well, my name's Kiara, I'm nineteen years old. My father
actually did the Airface program when he finished with high school. Yeah,
and just based on what he told me about his experience,
it sounded like something I was really interested in doing.
I really love traveling and having the opportunity to meet
new people. So the whole idea of AFS really gave
(01:53):
me this opportunity. So after finishing high school, it was
something that I looked into and it just seemed like
an amazing opportunity that I really could not miss out on.
And obviously right now I have no regrets. It was
completely worth.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
It, fantastic to hear that, Kira, what made you choose
Panama in particular?
Speaker 4 (02:12):
I have always thought that South America in general is
absolutely beautiful, and of course, while Panama is in North America,
it's always been such an interesting country to me. I've
always wanted to learn Spanish. The nature is beautiful and
the people always seem so friendly, so I definitely think
it was the right choice for me just being in
this environment in general.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
I don't know if our listeners can hear what I'm hearing,
which is the sort of birds chirping in the background,
really emphasizing the wonderful natural environment to you in Kiara,
thanks for that introduction, and Tondo, what about you tell
us a bit about yourself.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Hello, my name is Nintundo.
Speaker 5 (02:49):
I'm twenty years old and I actually heard of Afs
from the internet. Actually, yeah, I saw how wonderful the
experience might be to experience different cultures, different foods, and
just to explore the world further, because the world.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Is quite a bit bigger thing in South Africa.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
And the choice of South Korea, what was it a
place you'd always wanted to go or was it the
place you chose because it seemed the furthest away and
most different from your own culture.
Speaker 5 (03:21):
Well, I chose Asia in particular because just how different
it is from let's say a South Africa, and just
to experience really as being really the only one of
the few people that are just I guess non Asian,
I guess, And just to experience a different culture, and
(03:44):
really to learn the language that the unique language where
you cannot get anywhere.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Else in the world. Really, that's really why I chose.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Okay, Now, I wanted to ask both of you about
how you tackle the language Barrier and Tundle, so you
very deliberately went they're keen to learn a completely different
and new language. Did you do any sort of study
before you got to Korea to try and prepare yourself
or did you literally dive into the deep end arriving
there not speaking any of the language at all.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
I actually came in here without knowing anything, to be honest,
was okay? At first? I was a bit it was.
Speaker 5 (04:18):
It was a bit confusing, as as obvious as that
may sound.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
But honestly, people here are very friendly and pretty.
Speaker 5 (04:27):
Understanding, so they'll be patient with you as we try
to navigate your way in time to communicate with them.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
And more than anything, I feel as if it's and
you challenge.
Speaker 5 (04:41):
You know, I don't really see it as some sort
of barrier, so to speak. I more see it as
a bridge that I just have to build on my
own to further educate myself with cultures and being able
to speak to new and different people to get the experiences.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Okay, do you want to say something for us in Koreaan?
Perhaps good morning and how are you or something like that.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
K Yeah, that's that's that's that's a word for now.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Okay, you've done better than I could, so well done.
Thank you for that explanation. Kiara, what about you? You
said that learning Spanish was one of the real motivators
for you to go to Central America. How are you
getting on in that goal?
Speaker 4 (05:34):
I mean, learning the language has definitely been one of
the biggest challenges, I would say, just because being thrown
into an environment where you don't really know any of
the language and you're surrounded by people that don't necessarily
speak English either, it can be a bit of a challenge,
and the language barrier, of course, can be a problem. However,
it has also been extremely useful and being able to
(05:56):
pick up the language quicker by being forced to speak
it and being forced to be in that environment. And
for me, I've actually really enjoyed having the struggle of
maybe ordering at a restaurant or saying something incorrectly. I've
really enjoyed being able to learn through that, and being
able to be corrected by friends and family members, and
(06:18):
just really being able to put yourself out there in
speaking a language that normally you wouldn't even attempt to speak.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Well, I can't do it in Tondo and not do
it to you, Kiara, Do you want to give us
a sample of your Spanish and how it's got on
so far?
Speaker 3 (06:32):
I'll just say hello, how are you.
Speaker 5 (06:36):
All?
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Commers?
Speaker 3 (06:37):
Dos?
Speaker 4 (06:37):
Okay?
Speaker 3 (06:37):
Well done?
Speaker 2 (06:38):
So you're getting there? And have you like in Tondo?
Find that people found that people are very friendly and
willing to help. You know, you've shown the interest of
going to their country with you know, an approach of
wanting to learn. Are you finding that they're receiving you
with much the same sort of sense of welcome?
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (06:57):
Absolutely, the people here are very welcoming, very friendly. Specifically,
if I approach someone and initially they think that I'm
maybe Panamanian and they hear my Spanish, and they know
I'm definitely foreign. They are so willing to help. They're
so willing to even try and speak English. They're willing
to help me with my Spanish. It has really been
an overall great experience with that.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
I'm so glad to hear it. Kira, tell us a
little bit more about what you've seen of Panama so
far and some of the highlights of what you've experienced there.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
Well, for me, I'm saying in Panama City, which is
the area with a lot of people, a lot of activities,
that kind of thing, and I've really been able to
experience meeting new people and just seeing how people live
on day to day and experiencing not being a tourist,
but actually being a local in Panama. But I've also
(07:48):
had the privilege of going to other provinces and other
areas to see Panama's beautiful nature, the beautiful beaches, and
really being able to immerse in the country and everything
that it has to offer.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Okay, and inn Sando, what about you? Have you had
the chance to explore much of South Korea. Tell us
a little bit more about where you are and what
you've seen so far.
Speaker 5 (08:09):
Well, I'm currently in province I guess called Dejon, which
I think is very nature driven. I really like how
a lot of the things are. It's really peaceful here.
But I've had the chance to actually go to Seoul,
the capital of South Korea, and I've been to a
lot devil, which is a lot of people's dreams, to
(08:31):
be honest.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Central there was an amusement park.
Speaker 5 (08:34):
But a really really big and really amazing amusement park
I went to. I had the chance to go a
lot of rides and really just experience how amazing really
and like how large scale it is compared to like
a lot of South Africas, for example, like the Goldish City.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Yes, in South Africa, it's quite miniscule compared to lovel
to be honest. So it was a a great experience. Yeah,
that's how I've been so far.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Okay, besides the scale of things being so much bigger,
has anything shocked or surprised you have? You found yourself
sort of suffering from culture shock in any way, whether
it was adapting to new food or that they do
something very differently in South Korea from the way you're
used to doing it in South Africa.
Speaker 5 (09:22):
Well, the culture shock for me maybe has been well
to start off with the obvious son and being able
to use chop sticks. Mainly just used to eating with
a four kate knife, but now like my hands, I'm
not quite used to.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
The chop sticks, and also mainly also like.
Speaker 5 (09:43):
The terrain really of South Korea is there's a lot
of hills really here, so it's quite challenging on the feet,
I guess to you old to like walk from you
have to walk around everywhere and whilst they as hells.
But other than that really not much. As I said before,
(10:05):
it's quite people are quite accepting, quite also willing to
teach you some of the cultural norms, like, for example,
not to yell in a in like a bus or
a train. It is quite important to be to be
mindful of your surroundings in terms of not yelling in
(10:26):
a train, always giving the elders or like the pregnant
women a rite or passage always.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
Otherwise. Yeah, it's been, it's been quite fantastic here.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Okay, Kiara. Have you had any moments of real culture
shock or things that have completely surprised you about your
experience in Panama so far?
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Well, I mean, honestly from my experience, I feel like
Panama definitely has a couple of similarities with South Africa,
just in regards to some of the way things work
and the friendliness of the people. I feel like that's
very South African.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
But one thing I.
Speaker 4 (11:02):
Will say, I am vegetarian, so it has been a
bit of a struggle with finding vegetarian meals to eat.
But like I said, people are so open and willing
to help. My family has been lovely and obviously prepares
me really amazing Panamanian vegetarian meals. And yeah, overall, I've
(11:23):
just been able to, of course figure my way around that.
And while of course Panama has a very different culture
than South Africa, It's all been just such a great experience.
I've been able to be immersed in this culture, and
while there have been differences, I wouldn't say that I've
had any negative experiences or felt any any sadness or
(11:47):
unhappiness in the change of culture.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
I've rarely enjoyed every moment.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
Okay, just for anybody who's joining us midway for this interview.
Our guests are two South African young adults who are
both currently taking part in AFS cultural exchange programs. Kiara
Mahoney is nineteen years old currently based in Panama, and Nintando.
Ceremane is twenty years old and spending time in South Korea,
(12:10):
both of them obviously joining us by a zoom this
afternoon to chat to us. And let's talk a little
bit about the things you're missing from home. Kiara, You've
just said you've found it very welcoming and that your
hosts have made you feel so at home. Is there
any aspect of South African life that you felt sort
of tugging at you that you are really missing?
Speaker 3 (12:30):
Well, of course I miss my friends and my family.
Speaker 4 (12:33):
Of course, when you're going on in exchange, you're gonna
miss those main things and my pets of course.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
But overall, I feel like, while there are things that.
Speaker 4 (12:41):
I miss, just the experience of new things in a
different country has really made it worth it.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
So they're say, can I miss something?
Speaker 4 (12:49):
I think of something new that I've discovered, if someone
new that I've met, And it really just makes me
so grateful to be able to have something that I
can miss and something new that I'm experiencing at the
same time.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
Yeah, has it been the same for you in Tando?
I mean, of course, you must be missing loved ones
back at home. But is there anything else that you
you really have you you can't wait to get back
to when your exchange is over.
Speaker 5 (13:12):
Well, to be honest, only I can't wait to get
back to is a good, good old bride, Just a
good old tie and some built on. That's mainly what
I'm missing, really is just the way South Africans do it.
Just a bob, the bride, a good time. That's not
the main thing that I'm missing from home. But otherwise,
I mean, obviously I can just always call my family.
(13:35):
Technology is pee advanced these days, but and that, Yeah,
it's just a bride, some some good bob.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
That's that's that's it.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
Well, those the good news is those will definitely still
be waiting for you when you get home at the
end of this. Don't know what A more serious note,
what do you feel like you've learned about yourself in
the process of going on exchange?
Speaker 1 (13:55):
Well, to be to be honest, I've felt more. I
felt more open to expressing myself.
Speaker 5 (14:04):
I mean, obviously, as a black person in Asia, it's
a bit obviously there will uh the career, there'll be
a bit more curious and because my skin card is
a bit different from them, but I've learned rather than
to shy away from it, rather than I'd rather learned
to be more expressive about it.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
More like dye my hair now get more here. I've
gone a lot more piercings, to be honest, since I
got here as well.
Speaker 5 (14:34):
Yeah, I think that it all told me to just
have more confidence in myself rather than to be in
a shell, because I ultimately I came here to learn
and experience new experiences. So I've just learned to be
more comfortable in my own skin as well through this program.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
That's fantastic to hear. Kiara, Do you feel the same way.
Is there anything else you'd add to that about what
you've discovered about yourself in the pro of leaving South Africa?
Speaker 1 (15:02):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (15:02):
Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (15:03):
I mean I would say just overall, traveling to a
country where you don't know the language, you're not living
as a tourist, you're living as a local. It definitely
forces you to grow your confidence and self awareness in
different ways that you wouldn't normally experience in the comfort
of your own country. And I really feel like just
(15:24):
being able to be here has been such a good
opportunity for growth, for meeting Panamanians and meeting locals, and
as well as meeting other people in exchange, other people
traveling and being able to hear their stories and being
able to understand kind of why they did this as well.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
Yeah, Like there are moments where I'm hanging out with.
Speaker 4 (15:44):
My friends, a friend from Canada, friends from Germany, and
a friend from Panama, and I'm just thinking all of
us in this one group, it's just such a different
experience that you won't have unless you're going on in
exchange or traveling somewhere with this kind of experience.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
So I would say that.
Speaker 4 (16:01):
It's definitely taught me to be just more confident, self
aware and open to other people.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
It's been wonderful listening to both of you talk with
such excitement about how much you are learning not just
about other cultures but about yourselves as well. And I
want to thank you both for making time to speak
to us at what probably is not the most convenient
time of day for you in your time zones. To
Kiara Mahoney joining us from Panama and Nintando Ceremony joining
us from South Korea, thank you for your time this
(16:28):
afternoon and We wish you all the best and continued
enjoyment of the rest of your exchange experience with AFS.
Thank you for joining us on the show today.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
And that's what it's like if you want to explore
the possibility once again. The website to visit for more
information on the AFS program is AFS dot org dot
c A
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.