Mere Mulu went to South Africa in 2000 on the AFS Young Adults Programme.

I was based in Durban on the east coast of South Africa, so it was by the beach. I stayed with two families, who had connections to the organization I had been attached to. The organization worked with communities who had had to deal with violence and remnants of South Africa’s apartheid system. It was a fascinating experience and one that made me appreciate more what it was like to live in NZ. Visiting rural areas and communities that lived in shacks, and where access to basics like water meant a 2km hike, made me think how lucky we are to live in NZ. I went on an AFS adult scholarship

I grew up in Dunedin, Tokoroa, and Auckland. My family (parents, a sister and three brothers) were a little worried at first only because South Africa was largely seen as ‘dangerous’. My mother would have chosen Brazil over South Africa (only Brazil and South Africa were options for adult scholars). I was proud to be able to represent AFS, NZ and Polynesia in South Africa. There have been a few Pacific Islanders who have gone away with AFS and I’m grateful to have been one of them. It was the experience of a lifetime and for me, getting to South Africa, a country I studied as a student and was always fascinated about, was a huge experience. I’d recommend it!