Seth Nguyen

Seth Nguyen (he/him) - Stanford in Cape Town

Major: Product Design & Mechanical Engineering

College year while abroad: Junior

About the photo: This is a picture of me taking a picture of a painting that we were looking at in Cederberg with our archaeology professor. You can't see anything here, and I'm pretty sure my photo was also bad. But this was my favorite trip!

Q&As

Why did you choose to study in Cape Town?

Cape Town is beautiful, and I really wanted to go to a location where I felt that I could learn and grow. I felt like South Africa is not a place that I'd have many opportunities to travel to throughout my life, so it just seemed like the perfect scenario to just go for it. Everyone that I spoke to about Cape Town said that they loved it, and once you go there, it's obvious why. If you're considering applying (or even if you're not), reach out to me!

What were your expectations before you went and how did they change once you were in Cape Town?

I was expecting to have some trouble adjusting, but I think the program and staff go above and beyond in supporting you and making you feel at ease. I also didn't expect to do as much as I did while also being able to learn and fully engage with the community. Additionally, I thought that classes would be a lot more similar to classes held at Stanford, but I honestly enjoyed them much more than the average class held on campus.

What were some of the academic benefits from studying abroad in Cape Town?

Cape Town's classes are very engaging and allow you to fully immerse yourself in the country's current and historical landscape. The professors are very passionate about what they teach, and you'll get to take a ton of field trips to learn from the people and communities you're learning about in class. You get to see Cape Town from a variety of angles, and it really makes the learning so much more fun. You will get to hear firsthand accounts of some of the biggest issues facing the country, which is something that I think you won't be able to find in many other places.

What did you learn about yourself while studying abroad?

Being in Cape Town really forced me to think about things outside of the context of the United States. One class that I found really interesting was ICT4D (information and communications technologies for development), where we discussed concepts such as the digital divide, the impacts of large tech companies in developing countries, and technology as an amplifier. Being so close to silicon valley, it's easy to only focus on all of the positives and benefits of innovation, but after studying in Cape Town, I have begun think a lot more about the potential negative impacts of technologies on communities that I may not be a part of.

What was the most challenging experience you encountered while abroad and what did you learn from it?

I grappled with a sense of privilege that I felt in Cape Town that I hadn't felt in the United States. Your dollar will go a lot further in Cape Town, so you'll be able to afford a lot of experiences that would be much more expensive in the U.S. It felt weird being able to come into a country and participate in things that many of the citizens have never and might never have the opportunity or resources to do. One way that I came to terms with this was by trying to learn as much as I could while I was there. I feel that by going there, I accepted a responsibility to absorb and immerse myself in the culture and history as much as I enjoyed other aspects of the country.

What was the biggest cultural adjustment you had to make?

Trying to truly understand the country through its own history and not my own was pretty challenging. Also, because most Asian people in Cape Town are Chinese, I had one experience where someone thought I was Chinese and began speaking to me accordingly. It wasn't a completely new experience as I grew up in a community where there were few Asians, but it was interesting to witness in another country.

What was your favorite part of everyday life?

There are so many things that I enjoyed, so I'll name a couple. Being so close to nature allowed me and other students to take spontaneous trips to the beach, mountains, etc. after classes ended. I also ended up enjoying loadshedding because it somewhat forced me to take a step back from technology and gave me an excuse to get closer to others in the cohort. Also, there are these snacks called rusks, which you eat with tea or coffee in the morning before class. The Cape Town program has a relatively small cohort (compared to other programs), meaning you can really get to know everyone and become a little family. If you go (which you should), it will absolutely be a decision you'll never regret.

What was the most memorable experience you had while in Cape Town?

Going on a field trip for our archaeology class, staying in a cabin, eating great food, hiking around looking for ancient paintings, sitting around a fire that we made by finding twigs and dried leaves, playing games and telling scary stories, and stargazing under the clearest sky I've ever seen in my life. It's probably one of the times I felt most connected to others at Stanford.

What 5 words would you use to describe the experience?

Unforgettable, Enriching, Exhilarating, Bestdecisionever, and Perfect.

What was your favorite food or music?

Ostrich!! I got to try ostrich carpaccio on one of our field trips to Pilanesberg, and despite being a bit hesitant at first, I ended up getting a few plates of it. The other food there were just as good too. Honestly, I don't really remember exactly what I ate, but I just remember thinking that it was one of the best meals of my life. In terms of music, I didn't discover anything new, but the nightlife scene is vibrant and has something for everyone.

What was the most valuable item you took on the program?

Portable charger, outlet converter, and a fanny pack.