Twenty-two students and three intrepid chaperones explored South Africa during the two-week 2026 Winter Term, and it’s safe to say that everyone got more than they bargained for from the experience.
After landing in Johannesburg, the group hit the ground running. “Penitentiary, goats, the odd cow, and the high court. That pretty much sums up our day,” chaperone and Middle School Science Teacher Nolan Clarke posted. The group started at Constitutional Hill before making their way to Soweto (an acronym of South Western Township and an area near Johannesburg set aside by the government for Blacks in the 1920s that eventually experienced civil unrest during Apartheid) before finishing up at the Apartheid Museum. “I liked visiting the High Court in Johannesburg and learning about judicial process in South Africa,” wrote Bella Anadkat ’26.
Cade Miller ’26 enjoyed Constitutional Hill, noting a sign in the court that reads A luta continua, which translates to, The struggle continues. “I found it very impactful that even though Apartheid has ended, there are still social and justice issues that plague South Africa,” he posted. “I also found interesting the differences between the U.S. Supreme Court and their high court. It is a beautiful court.”
Mia Brauer ’26 noted The Flame of Democracy, lit by Nelson Mandela in 2011 and still burning brightly today. “This flame represents the democracy that South Africa achieved after years of struggle under an unrepresentative and oppressive government regime,” she posted. “It was a very special opportunity to see such an important symbol to the South African people at one of the most important places (Constitutional Hill) in the history of the suffering of the South Africans.”
Jonathan Weiss ’27 enjoyed the bus tour of Soweto, noting the highs and lows. He called it a “really eye opening visit.”
After all these sights, the group completed a more pedestrian task: visiting a supermarket to pick up snacks for the next stage: staying at the Selati Game Reserve. There, students learned how to track animals. They also learned about a camera trapping project and drone monitoring, enjoying research drives to collect data. Lewis Adkins ’26 enjoyed a rare moment. “One of my favorite experiences was seeing a cheetah less than 10 feet away from me,” he said. “Our guide mentioned that this had never happened to her before, making it a true once-in-a-lifetime moment, especially meaningful to share with friends.” Although their time at Selati wound up dampened by rain, students were able to conduct research drives for key species monitoring and learn from wildlife managers about the reserve itself and conservation. They saw elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, lions, impala, warthogs, and dung beetles.
Miller and Adkins were quite adventurous, engaging in the game of Bokdrol Spoeg, a competition of spitting dried impala dung pellets. “You only live once,” Miller said.
The rains headed in, but our travelers’ spirits were not dampened! They learned how to process their data and enjoyed playing games with each other. “I learned a ton about South African history and culture,” said Zach Withington ’26. “This trip was definitely one of the best experiences I have ever had. My favorite part about it was being able to live out in a game reserve for six days and even though it rained for half the time, we still got so much out of it. If I got the chance to do it again, I would.”
So much rain poured, in fact, that the group was forced to leave Selati by car instead of plane, traveling to Johannesburg before flying to Cape Town, but they persevered and made it to new adventures. They experienced drumming at dinner, a professional rugby match, a sunrise hike on Lion’s Head, the Boulder Beach Penguin Colony (yes, there are penguins in South Africa!), and Robben Island, where Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years. “We had a lot of fun in Cape Town!” reported Anadkat. “So grateful to have had this experience and so sad to leave.” Henry Rohan ’26 enjoyed climbing Table Mountain. “The view was unreal and it was a beautiful way to end our amazing trip,” he said. “I’m so grateful to have shared this moment with some of my best friends.”
Brauer appreciated her time in Cape Town as well. “Taking a cable car up to one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and a few days before, hiking up Lion’s Head, I learned a lot about the amazing and beautiful land and environment of Cape Town,” she said. “Exploring Table Mountain, running around with my friends, as well as hiking Lion’s Head on my birthday, made me realize how valuable it is to be immersed in nature with the people that make you the happiest. These two adventures made the experience in Cape Town unique, and allowed me to do something that I don’t have the opportunity to do at home.”
“My trip to South Africa has been by far one of the best experiences I’ve ever had!” effused Kate Riley ’26. “I got to travel to a brand new country and explore many different places in various cities (including four national parks!), try lots of new food, and spend two weeks with the best group of people. Forever grateful for these two weeks!”
Josie Ciaramita ’27 posted, “This trip was amazing. We got to see all aspects of South Africa: the rich and poor areas of Johannesburg, game drives and wildlife, and the vibrant city of Cape Town. My favorite moments were the rugby game and the sunny day at Selati! It’s been so cool to meet people so passionate about wildlife and hear their stories and different backgrounds. But what also made this trip was the amazing group of people who I’ve gotten so close to and been able to share such a special experience with. Thank you, Mr. Clarke, Ms. Mitler, and Mr. Fitzgerald!”
Upper School English Teacher Lynn Mittler was one of the three chaperones. She said, “This was a trip of a lifetime and I was thrilled to be able to return to South Africa 30 years later and see so much of the country. I was truly impressed with our students. Not only were they very reliable, making 4:35 a.m. depart times and more, but they truly engaged with the experience and immersed themselves in all that the trip had to offer. Watching them make connections to the work they had done in school or discovering new things was a rewarding experience that I did not anticipate. Additionally, all of the people we met in South Africa were remarkable human beings who were deeply invested in our group coming to understand all that South Africa has to offer. I believe we left with a sophisticated awareness of a country moving forward from a challenging past while caring for their vast natural resources. Nolan Clarke is a tremendous leader who generously shared his time and knowledge with us all.”
Our student travelers also enjoyed their once-in-a-lifetime experience. Hear what they think in their own words:
Lewis Adkins ’26
My favorite part of the trip was spending time with my classmates while experiencing something completely new together. I had a great time getting closer to everyone, including the teachers, and sharing moments that we’ll all remember. I was also surprised by how similar people are everywhere we went. Everyone we met was kind, curious about America, and eager to talk about shared interests. It felt like we saw all of South Africa. We traveled through Johannesburg, Selati, and Cape Town, driving through different regions and seeing very different sides of the country. It was eye-opening to experience the more Western feel of Cape Town, the economic hub of Johannesburg, and an actual game reserve in Selati. Overall, I am incredibly thankful I had the opportunity to go on this trip. It was, without a doubt, one of the defining experiences of my high school career.
Bella Anadkat ’26
For me, this was one of the best travel experiences I’ve had. Going into the trip, I had relatively limited knowledge about South Africa in general, but in the two weeks we were there, I was able to learn so much about the country’s history, culture, and environment. Some of my favorite experiences were at Selati when we were able to see a lot of animals, the Stormers rugby game, and the sunrise hike at Lion’s Head. I would recommend the South Africa Winter Term trip to anyone!
Mia Brauer ’26
One of the most memorable parts of this trip and one of the things I enjoyed the most, was learning about the history of South Africa. We had always been taught in school about Jim Crow laws and segregation in the States, but we never learned about apartheid in other parts of the world. We had the opportunity on this trip, to go to both prisons where Mandela was held (and his cell on Robben Island) and the current courthouse. We also visited Soweto, where you see a significant amount of people living in extreme poverty, in tin shacks across a plot of land. It was so heartbreaking to see how current poverty in South Africa ties to the decades of oppression the people faced. It was also crazy to learn about things I had never heard of, like the District Six demolition and the Soweto school uprisings. Additionally, having the opportunity to hear someone’s firsthand experience of being imprisoned on Robben Island was truly something I would’ve never imagined having the opportunity to do. I have always loved history, so taking four days out of this trip to truly dive into the history of a country I had never really learned about before was amazing and extremely eye-opening. In going to the Gold Restaurant, I felt so immersed in the South African Cape culture. This was my favorite night of the trip, and it opened my eyes to how amazing it is to be able to learn about new cultures and be a part of them. Before this, I knew little about South Africa. However, after this dinner, I learned about 14 different types of cuisine across Africa, the traditions they have, their traditional clothing, and the musical aspect of their culture. This made me realize the significance, importance, and amazing opportunity that everyone as humans should take to understand cultures that are foreign to them, to become more connected to one another. I think that’s something really valuable that I am going to be taking with me when I go back home, and when I travel again.
Carrie Clennan ’26
This trip was so fantastic. Meeting and talking to so many interesting people was one of my favorite parts. I’ve loved getting closer with people at school that I don’t always hang with, and the group really made this experience. Wildlife sightings from a lion to dung beetles to penguins to ostriches were definitely a highlight, as well as our museum tours and national park explorations. I’ve loved how this trip was centered around respect. From respecting nature and implementing conservation methods to learning about history and growth, I have a newfound appreciation for so many aspects of South Africa, and I’m so grateful to have been on this trip. Thanks to everyone involved!
Steele Crissman ’26
Ignorantly, I first thought this trip would be pretty simple. I believed the coolest things would be the animals. What I quickly learned was that this trip represented much more than a lion or buffalo. Rather, an experience with an unbelievable group of people who were able to enjoy the complexities and unique landscape of South Africa together. Through the, game drives, long hauls, city tours, mountain climbing, and powerful history… this place has inspired all of us. I hope to see you again, South Africa.
Samson Gibli ’26
I had a really great time in South Africa; it was definitely a life-changing experience. We all learned a lot about the backstory and culture of South Africa, and had a blast on the safari. Even though we got rained on, we made the most of it and were able to meet some locals and talk to them about their life experiences. I just want to say thank you, Mr. Clarke, for planning everything, and Ms. Mittler and Mr. Fitz for looking after 22 kids. I hope you all had just as much fun as we did!
Mikey Gutchewsky ’26
I am beyond grateful to have had this experience. I have learned so much and had the opportunity to experience a culture outside of my own. In Johannesburg, I was able to learn about the history of South Africa while also realizing how lucky I am and how important it is not to take things for granted. Even though it was wet, we still got to see so many animals and learn about wildlife in Selati. Lastly, Cape Town was easily the best city I’ve ever been to. This has truly been the best trip I’ve ever been on. I just want to thank both of my parents for making this possible, along with Mr. Clark, Ms. Mittler, and Mr. Fitz for putting up with us.
Chloe Kolman ’26
Overall, I loved this trip!! I had so many great memories with this group. Learning all about South Africa’s history was very informative and made me think more about the community here. Coming to Selati and learning about the political situation of rhino poaching was interesting and something I didn’t know much about before this trip. The views were also amazing! Cape Town is so beautiful. And thank you so much to the teachers; spending time with you guys was great!
Morgan Macam ’26
It’s hard to put into words how amazing this trip was—the people, places, and shared experiences we got to have made it so memorable. One of my favorite parts was our time at Selati Game Reserve. I loved getting to learn about the animals, their habits, and conservation life from the research workers. It was such an immersive experience, and even though we got rained on for a few days, it taught a lot of us how to make the best of a bad situation. We spent the rainy days playing sand volleyball, cards, and just talking to one another and the workers about our lives. I also got to get some really cool pictures of the animals and wildlife while we were there. One thing that surprised me about the whole trip was how welcoming and nice the people in South Africa were—it was so fun and easy to go up to locals and have conversations with them, learning about their life but also sharing bits and pieces of mine was one of my favorite parts.
Editor’s Note: Morgan is an accomplished photographer and generously shared her photos from this trip. Please enjoy this gallery of her images!
Amelia Mackin ’26
Before the trip, I spoke with students who had gone on the trip two years prior; they all told me how life-changing the trip was. I had no idea how accurate that statement would be, and more. Johannesburg, historically and scenically, was incredible. I learned so much about South Africa and saw a world completely different from my own firsthand. Our time in the Selati served was some of the best memories of my life. We had a day and a half of sunshine and the planned schedule. We got to swim, go on game drives, and see fascinating animals. Although most of our time there was spent in the rain, I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. Eight of us played volleyball for hours, and the group as a whole got to learn from the fascinating guides whose life work and passion for what they do inspired me. It really was the group who made the trip. Every event was filled with laughter. I can speak for everyone when I say we all gained lifelong bonds after our time together. Cape Town changed the way I feel about international travel and the world. Previously, I had felt that living in a European city in college or beyond felt like something I wanted to accomplish, but the culture, life, and landscape of Cape Town opened my eyes to a new part of the world. The hike up Lions Head Mountain at sunrise and our drive along the coast is forever ingraved in my brain. The Rugby game and dinners after a long day of walking around had some wonderful laughs and truly gave us an incredible ending to our trip. I’d recommend that trip to anyone in a heartbeat and could talk about it forever…clearly!
Eshan Majeed ’26
This trip to South Africa was one of the most memorable moments of my life. Having been to the country before with my family helped me understand what to expect, but seeing Johannesburg for the first time and being with my friends was something to never forget. The unexpected scenarios were definitely challenging but ultimately brought us all closer.
Cade Miller ’26
Even though the rain was rough, there is always a silver lining. I’m glad to have met the students at JJ’s and share dinners with them. I enjoyed talking about international relations, American music, culture, politics, and what life is like in South Africa and the various countries where they grew up. They were so welcoming and insightful; they were one of the most impactful parts of my trip! In addition, this trip has been an amazing way to strengthen bonds with my classmates and learn new things. I especially enjoyed all of our time in nature with each other, which allowed us to connect. I have learned so much from being around this group of people that I will take away for the rest of my life. Big thanks to the chaperones and Ms. Hamill!
Henry Rohan ’26
This trip was an absolutely life-changing experience for me; we were all blessed with the opportunity to see new parts of the world and their different cultures. I made some of the best memories of my life on this trip, and I will never forget it. Hopefully, one day I can send my kids on a similar program so they can experience the same thing.
Nihaal Satwani ’26
I’ve never been on anything close to a game reserve, but now that I’ve lived in the dome tents and experienced Selati, I can truly say I’ve enjoyed it. From the rich history of Johannesburg to the elephants and dung beetles in Limpopo to the scenic views of Cape Town, I will miss this trip. My favorite part of the trip would have to be the rugby match.
Ray Spencer ’26
South Africa gave me incredible memories, new friendships, and an educational and cultural experience unlike anything I had before. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and for the teachers who made the trip possible. From watching a rugby game to learning about conservation and confronting the realities of apartheid, every experience left a lasting impact. This trip changed the way I understand history, culture, and the world around me.
Jonathan Weiss ’27
I’ve been privileged to visit many places so far growing up, but I think this trip has been the most impactful on my global perspective. From exploring the disparities of Soweto, to embracing nature and rain at Selati, to amazing sightseeing in Cape Town, all the highlights made favorite memories hard to pick. I can’t wait to hopefully make it back one day.
Rowan Wright ’27
This trip has been the most amazing part of high school for me. I travel a lot, but this was the first time that I did not want to go back to St. Louis at any moment in the trip. Some of my favorite moments of the trip were going to a rugby game in Cape Town and seeing the landscapes, penguins, and monkeys throughout Cape Town. The most memorable part of Selati, the game reserve area where we lived for a week, was seeing dung beetles fight each other over dung balls, and being just a few feet away from lions, elephants, and giraffes. One of the biggest surprises for me was seeing the contrast between Sandton City and Soweto in Johannesburg, where Sandton City is the richest part of Johannesburg, and just a few miles from there is Soweto, which is the poorest part of South Africa. It was shocking how the living condition extremes were just a few miles away from each other. Mr. Fitz, Mr. Clarke, and Ms. Mittler chaperoned this trip, and orchestrated this amazing trip, and no matter how much it rained, it was an amazing experience. This was the most amazing trip I have ever been on, and for anyone thinking about whether they want to go or not when the time comes again, I would immediately say yes because this is a trip of a lifetime.
Ian Zar ’26
Along this trip, we were fortunate to have been met with incredible hospitality. Matt, a staff member at Selati, went out of his way to accommodate us and make us truly enjoy our stay. The unforeseen downpour at Selati flooded our dome tents, but Selati ensured we were comfortable. We were moved to a different nearby camp, about a 10-minute drive from Selati. There, we met even more awesome people who were studying to become workers in the bush. Every day, Matt would drive us between the new camp and Selati, even taking us on one last game drive through the rain and back to the camp. He and all the other people we met during this trip made it amazing and welcoming. Mr. Clarke, Mr. Fitz, and Ms. Mittler have made this trip so special, ensuring our safety but also enjoyment through several challenges. A huge thanks to them and everyone who came together to make this trip possible.