matshidisolp
Introduction
I am South African. I am a student of HPU and will be working on my Masters in Bio-Sciences for next two years. I am not the most extroverted person you can find but I am kinda fun, easy going. I like morning walks and good tea.
I joined expat.com on 16 June 2017.
-
matshidisolpposted on the thread Language barriers in India
-
matshidisolpposted on the thread Student life in India
-
matshidisolpposted on the thread New members of the India forum, introduce yourselves here - 2018
Expat experience
Most of my time is spent studying and attending classes. However, whenever I get the chance I try to explore the city, neighboring places and indulge in the local culture. I'd love to volunteer and teach English in a local NGO, but so far I haven't really found one yet and still sort of struggling to find balance between my studies and extra activities.
Shimla is extra calm and easy going, compared to Pretoria. I did my undergrad in Hatfield, which is a crazy, highly energetic student hub that operates 24/7. Shimla on the other hand is extremely calm, which is what I like the most about it.
Monsoon season! It is cold, raining all the time, heavily so, and the sky is grey and sad, sucks all the energy. Food can be better too I'd say. All so, not so much of a student life, perhaps this has more to do with the university community.
Au-Pair. I lived with a lovely family and my main role was to assist the kids wit conversational English and sort of help with taking care of them. They were amazing, being 4 (3 boys and 1 girl) they were quiet a handful sometimes, but we had so much fun! Additionally, I took Spanish classes with the University of Vigo. The campus was pretty small but super diverse.
Ponteareas is a small city, mostly residential and very beautiful. The forest is dense and everything is green and alive with freshness. Highlights: transport system is very good, people are punctual and extremely welcoming to foreigners. What I liked the best is the food, just the best! Seafood! Tortilla! Pescado! Cheese! Croquettas! Food, food ,food!
I had such a great time I ca' think of anything. Planning to go back next summer, ask me then if anything comes up
I loved Namibia, probably because it was easy given the huge similarity to South Africa, and yet at the same time it was challenging enough to keep me on my toes constantly.
Windhoek was great. Locals are very friendly and helpful. Work and life balance is good. The city had a lot of extra-curricular activities, night-life and there is a wide range of expat friendly or oriented events especially around the city center. The best thing about Windhoek that I miss the most is "Kapana Sundays"!
Incompetence in the public services, government institutes and even private sector! Everything is slow, and people have no respect for time at all. Do not expect anything to start on time, ever! Also forget about getting anything done during lunch hour, best thing is to do as the hour states- go for lunch
