THE 2020 GROUP
by Mpoi Mfobo
 

I will start off by making a confession. Before getting to know my fellow TSAP 2020 participants, I used to look at their profile pictures on the WhatsApp group that was created by Werner to communicate all the important stuff to us about the trip. While doing so, I asked myself questions about the people in these profile pictures, wondering who they are and whether they are nice people. I mean, after all there were 17 students and with that there was bound to be conflict due to personality clashes. I expected the worst...

I arrived at the airport gripped by nervousness and excitement at the same time. Nervous because I'd be meeting new people and excited because wow, the day that I finally got to travel out of South Africa had finally come! However, my excitement ended up overcoming my nervousness. As I walked into the boardroom at the Intercontinental Hotel, I was met by Mazvita and Clementine - I could tell that my excitement had reached maximum levels because I was very chatty and loud with them. As more of the group came in and I got a chance to interact with most people and even here others whom I hadn't directly interacted with speak, I knew right there and then that wow, these are my people - I might actually like these kids.

The energy of the group was always great. We always got along very well with each other. Furthermore, we always looked out for each other and that is one of the things that I appreciated about this group. We were a very light-hearted group that was always fond of making jokes and sharing laughs but also very serious when a situation called for it. The fact that we are all studying different things made the experience all the while interesting. As we discussed important issues amongst ourselves and offered up our different and same perspectives on things.

I don't think that we were bound to never get along or have conflict as we were too excited to let there be any animosity. Well, at least that was the case for me. I'm honestly so grateful that I got to experience Germany with this group. A group of funny yet intellectually stimulating people. I have made new friends. In addition, I have made new memories with you guys that I will forever cherish.