We South Africans arrived first at the camp and waited for our German counterparts to arrive from the airport.  At first, I did not know what to expect.  I was filled with mixed emotions. All the thoughts going through my mind:

• What will the Germans think of me?
• Will the Germans enjoy my company?
• Will my presence be appreciated?

But as soon as the German students arrived all those fears and insecurities started to fade when I realise that they were just ordinary teenagers like myself, also filled with the same insecurities and fears.  We South Africans could not have asked for better counterparts.  We started off as strangers, but in the end, we said good bye to each other as friends.  Within two weeks we have made together so many memories than some people will take to make in a life time.

I enjoyed teaching Afrikaans phrases to my new friends and learning German from them. I like speaking German and still ask them today to teach me via What’s App. Bonding with them was easy and in the evenings, against out better judgment, we would sit up till 12 and chat.  We would talk about the day’s experiences and life in general.

When we showed our pieces on Migration that we have prepared separately in our countries to each other for the first time, we were so moved by these stories and I think that is the moment we have crossed the great divide that normally exist between north and south – Africa and Europe.  Because these stories were so similar – human suffering is the same where ever you go and because it was directed by two sensitive directors, Mrs Markram and Herr Blum, we could see beyond our differences and reach out to each other.  Both groups cried while watching each other’s pieces and at the end of that evening, we started to open up to each other and reach out to each other.

I will never forget the camp and what it meant to me.  I had the time of my life.  I have learnt so much and I am grateful that I could be part of this experience.