Kokomo Hara

Kokomo is studying Education at UCLA. She joined the VACorps program in June 2025 and participated in an education internship at a local primary school.

As a student majoring in education, I was very interested in learning about the South African education system, especially given the country’s history of apartheid. People in Cape Town are incredibly friendly, and I felt that I could connect with them deeply beyond the boundaries of gender or race. The opportunity VACorps provided to visit the township was truly eye-opening. Seeing the educational gaps firsthand helped me understand the real power and importance of education.

South Africa is also rich in natural beauty, which fascinated me every day. I enjoyed hiking, canoeing, and jogging with my roommates and VAC members—these experiences have become some of my favourite memories. As an Asian student, I was surprised to find that people often stared at me, simply because Asian visitors are still relatively rare here. However, I learned that their curiosity comes from genuine interest. If you keep an open mind, it becomes a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange. I recommend embracing the experience of being a minority!

VACorps’ Friday activities are incredibly diverse and gave us the chance to explore all the essential places in Cape Town. I am truly grateful for the many places they took us and for all the beautiful memories created along the way.