EIL Intercultural Learning

Ever since I have started telling people that I would be going to South Africa, the main question that I have been asked has been without doubt; will you be there for the World Cup? To which my reply was mostly; 'eh, yea...maybe'. I went out with zilch appreciation for soccer, I knew nada, but being in Cape Town for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final has changed my opinion of the sport. It's not the fantastic skill or soccer that was played in the final that has allowed me to appreciate the sport especially with the reoccurrence of two particular colours; yellow and red being seen, it wasn't the sport it was the sense of community soccer has bought. South Africa has been noted in the past to a country of immense segregation and division. When I went to the Fan park for the World Cup Final I saw more than soccer and vuvuzelas, there was unity, a sense of everyone coming together not only South African blacks, whites and coloureds but the whole world together. Well done South Africa for hosting an excellent World Cup and proving that yes, you can do it.

The 2010 FIFA world cup has bought more to South Africa and than just soccer, that’s for sure. Alongside tourism, job creation and an economy boost it has bought positive exposure for South Africa. Many have said that presumptions such as high crime, rape and assault in South Africa are actually widely over exaggerated. The World Cup has shown the world that South Africa is an exquisite country, both its landscape and its people. Although many may moan that the World Cup only benefits those in the cities and those associated with the industry, however this may not be the case. As a condition of the World Cup being hosted in South Africa it had to supply a certain amount of development and infrastructure to help less well off communities. I'm placed in a township an hour outside of Cape Town, and here FIFA have started to build a sport facility for the township. This sport facility can allow young people to learn about sport and will encourage them to learn values such as commitment, hard work, teamwork and most importantly it can bring some fun, laughter and happiness into their lives. I came a girl with no interest in the World Cup, and although I haven’t learnt much about the game,

I'll leave a girl... a fan of the world cup and everything it does. Over and out...for now! Gill :)