Six months in South Africa

Luke Hughes is a Boston College junior spending six months at the University of Cape Town in South Africa (www.uct.ac.za). He was drawn to South Africa to study the country's history of dealing with apartheid.

A PRIVILEGE TO STUDY: Students here take their work more seriously than back in the States. There is a much lower rate of students who get the opportunity to attend a university, and therefore the students who can, take it as a blessing and give their best effort in return.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS: I often tell friends and family of my experience in Zimbabwe over spring break and of how I gained a new understanding of poverty and need in my travels there. It is unlike anything I have ever experienced. I also talk of my experience walking and interacting with lions in Zambia.

ON GUARD: My biggest adjustment was being more aware of my surrounding at all times. There is an extremely high crime rate in South Africa and therefore it is much more difficult to trust others and live freely.

KING OF THE JUNGLE: In Chobe National Park in Botswana it was amazing to see a lion with its mane fully grown out. This big predator seemed to be so soft and harmless as he sat calmly in the shade. He even gave a nice growl upon his exit, as if to say goodbye as we watched him fade away deep into the woods.

WILDLIFE . . . FOR DINNER: I like ostrich meat and springbok, which is a type of antelope specific to South Africa.

HOT SPOT: The coolest night spot I have found in Cape Town is called Hemisphere (www.hemisphere.org.za/). It is located on the 31st floor of a skyscraper in the center of town.

JENNIFER EHRLICH