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A Day in the Life... of a South African Student
Though he was forced to flee to the States years ago, Raoul still remembers his life in South Africa
Original posting: June 2003 Issue

by JEANNIE HO, staff writer

In 1994, there was a major regime change in the South African, which caused extreme political turmoil. This new regime tried to erase the British elements in society, from the Afrikaner’s (Dutch descent race) to the wealthy European folk with the status of an “upper classmen”. Luckily, my friend Raoul Ludwig Phillip Haeck was able to escape the political upheaval; he left his home a few years ago to live in the United States. However, he has decided to share his normal daily experiences from his days of living in South Africa.

6 AM: Raoul wakes up in his bed, located in the suburbs of Johannesburg called Rodeport. He showers and gets dressed in his school uniform – mainly consisting of a white-shirt with a red collar, black pants, and any type of formal shoes (typically loafers or dress shoes) – then goes to the kitchen to eat breakfast. His breakfast is similar to ours, cereal, porridge or oatmeal, with fresh fruit and Orange Juice.

7:50AM: Raoul’s mom kindly drops him off at his private school, Aurora College. According to Raoul, the legal age to drive in South Africa is 18 years old, so apparently, no high school students were allowed to drive themselves. Also, since it is a private school, there was no type of public transportation.

8AM: Class begins. School is considerably different in South Africa. First, high school is equivalent to our grades 8 to 12. Even the primary school is like our grades 1 – 7. Also, Raoul’s high school requires a total of 13 classes! Fortunately for Raoul, they are on a block schedule. Some of his classes include English, Biology, Geography, Afrikaner, Math, PE, Accounting, Introduction to Computer Science… Each class is only 1 hour long, and it is mandatory to take 6 of these classes a day.

10AM: After having two classes, Raoul gets a snack break, which he usually spends hanging out with his friends. 15 minutes later, he goes back to take two more classes.

12:15PM: Raoul gets his lunch. Since he is in high school, he is allowed to have a 45 minute break, whereas normal primary students only get 30 minutes.

3PM: School gets out and the after school sports begin and last until 5 PM. In the summertime, Raoul engages in swimming, tennis and/or field hockey. In the winter season, he plays soccer and rugby. He goes home promptly at 5 PM (picked up by his mom, of course). At home, he changes back into regular clothes and mainly just does his homework.

8PM: Dinnertime. Homework is normally done by this time. His mom cooks a delicious feast of fish, beef, or lamb. Sometimes, depending on the occasion or the day, his family dines out in one of South Africa’s wonderful restaurants.

Once dinner is complete, he watches television. South Africa only carries 3 basic channels; his family orders 3 more private (and expensive!) channels, which, according to Raoul, contain the “good stuff”. By 9 0r 10 PM, Raoul is fast asleep.