In February 2025, Chloe and Louise (Upper Fifth) had the incredible opportunity to visit Cape Town, South Africa, as part of the Global Schools’ Exchange Programme. Their exchange took place at Herschel Girl’s School. Below is their written account of the unforgettable experiences they had during their month-long adventure. A big thank you to Chloe and Louise for sharing their wonderful memories with us!
Arriving in Cape Town
After a long flight, we landed in Cape Town and were warmly welcomed by our host families. Even though it had only been a few weeks since we had seen our exchange buddies, Meg and Ella, it felt like we hadn’t seen them in ages. We quickly settled into our new homes for the month ahead, excited for what was to come.
On our first day at school, we attended an induction session where we met other exchange students from the United States, Australia, and the UK. It was amazing to meet so many people from around the world and bond over our shared experiences.
Exploring Cape Town and Surrounding Areas
During our time in Cape Town, we had the opportunity to explore the city and its surroundings. Chloe’s host family took her to some of their favourite restaurants, including trips to the famous waterfront, where they enjoyed family dinners. We also went to volunteer at a local dog shelter and tried out surfing for the first time—a highlight for Chloe! Over the weekends, we visited places like Kalk Bay, known for its iconic lighthouse and playful seals, and Hout Bay, where we visited a traditional South African market.
For Louise, Ella’s family made sure to show her the wonders of Cape Town, including a visit to Boulder’s Beach to see the famous penguins. Ella, being involved in volunteering, also took Louise along to a local orphanage, where they had a rewarding time spending time with the children there.
Life at Herschel Girl’s School
Life at Herschel was quite different from Downe House, but we quickly adapted to the routine. Herschel is a day school, meaning our school day typically finished at 3 pm, which was a nice change from the usual. We enjoyed spending our lunchtime in the school’s quad with new friends, trying new South African foods, including Biltong (a dried meat that became a favourite!).
Chloe had the chance to join Meg’s netball team and had a blast learning new drills and playing in matches. Similarly, Louise got involved in the school’s hockey culture, watching Ella’s family play and even experiencing the unique “war cry” they perform during matches.
Safari Adventure in Kruger National Park
One of the absolute highlights of our exchange was the incredible safari we went on in Kruger National Park. Organised by the school, the safari brought together exchange students from all over the world, and we became great friends during our time there. We stayed at a lodge right next to a watering hole, where we could spot animals like lions, giraffes, elephants, and hippos from the restaurant.
Our daily game drives were unforgettable—either early in the morning or in the evenings, when the animals were most active. We learned a lot about conservation, including hearing from a ranger about the fight against poaching and visiting an education centre where we got to see elephant tusks and learn about the efforts to protect wildlife.
A unique highlight of our stay was a traditional South African bush Braii (BBQ), set in a clearing surrounded by trees with rangers keeping watch for any nearby wildlife. It was such a special experience and one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
Final Week and Farewells
As our time in South Africa drew to a close, we were lucky to have more unforgettable experiences, such as hiking up Lion’s Head, visiting Franshoek for wine tasting, and exploring Cavendish shopping centre. On our last day at Herschel, we gave a presentation about life at Downe House and exchanged farewell gifts with our new friends.
Although saying goodbye was emotional, we’re so grateful for the friendships we’ve made, and we’re still in touch with our buddies and the amazing people we met in Cape Town.
Grateful for the Experience
We can honestly say that this exchange was one of the best and most memorable experiences of our lives.
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