College of Health Sciences students on a Winter Session study abroad trip to South Africa stop along the scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive in Cape Town to admire the view.

Outside their bubble

Article by Amy Cherry Photos courtesy of Jennifer Thorpe, Stephen Goodwin, Anna Copple and Lillian Whitesell February 18, 2026

South Africa study abroad gives CHS students new perspectives on life, humanity and themselves

As Anna Copple stepped into a home no bigger than her bathroom — with walls made of sheet metal and floors packed with dirt — she fought back tears.

“I kept thinking, I would be so offended if someone came into my home and started crying,” she said.

During a Winter Session study abroad in South Africa, Copple, a sophomore majoring in integrated health sciences, was among 16 University of Delaware College of Health Sciences students who witnessed firsthand the lasting impacts of apartheid. For Copple, a Delaware native, it was her first time abroad.

CHS students visited Soweto Township outside Johannesburg, former home to the late Nelson Mandela, and saw the lingering impacts of apartheid.

In Soweto Township, students also visited a crowded one-room schoolhouse the size of a bedroom, filled with smiling children.

“They were so joyful and welcoming, even with so little,” Copple said.

As the group left, Jennifer Thorpe, director of undergraduate nutrition programs and instructor in health behavior and nutrition sciences (HBNS), who led the trip along with retired HBNS Associate Professor Steve Goodwin, patted her back, saying, “We won’t go home the same, will we?”

Those words remain ingrained in her mind.

“Some might say these people have nothing, but they have something we lack that’s priceless: ubuntu — a Zulu word that speaks to our shared humanity and interconnectedness,” Copple said.

Anna Copple, a sophomore integrated health sciences major, went on her first safari in Kruger National Park.

For Lillian Whitesell, a senior honors nursing major and first-generation college student, visiting South African townships was eye-opening.

“This trip popped the bubble I was living in and made me want to be a better advocate for people who don’t always have a voice,” Whitesell said.

Whitesell, who has a minor in global health, also observed differences in healthcare practices. There, nurses and community health workers educate women on personal hygiene, child development and HIV testing and prevention, empowering them to serve as trusted caregivers in their communities.

“It’s a practice America could learn from,” Whitesell said. “In the U.S., we spend more on healthcare than any other country, and our outcomes are some of the worst in developed countries.”

After days immersed in communities, students also had a chance to experience South Africa’s wildlife. Record rainfall and flooding didn’t stop them from spotting the Big Five in lush, vibrant Kruger National Park.

Lillian Whitesell, a senior honors nursing major, snaps a selfie with a lion while on safari.

“It was incredible to see animals thriving in their natural habitats,” Copple said. “It was like being transported into a different world, where we’re visitors, and they make the rules.”

Students then traveled south to Cape Town, where they visited Robben Island, guided by former political prisoners who shared stories of resilience from their time with Nelson Mandela.

Students took a surfing lesson in Cape Town, known for its world-famous waves.

“Apartheid strikes me because it was only 30 years ago,” Whitesell said. “I loved learning about Mandela, who served as a light in the darkness for the whole country, and how hope and forgiveness were his mottos.”

They also took a surfing lesson and hiked Table Mountain.

“It was so challenging, physically,” Copple said. “But it was one of my favorite parts of the trip. We all encouraged each other and bonded over the experience.”

Students hiked Table Mountain, an iconic landmark overlooking Cape Town. Despite the challenging ascent, several students called it a highlight of the trip.

Whitesell called it one of the hardest things she’d ever done — even harder than nursing school — and said reaching the top left her sobbing with pride.

“The whole trip taught me to get outside my comfort zone and that being uncomfortable helps you grow,” Whitesell said.

Goodwin, who taught a popular course on happiness at UD and wove lessons throughout their time in South Africa, has one major goal for everyone on the trip: that they come out better people. Both Copple and Whitesell say, "Mission accomplished."

“We all learned so much about the world, but also ourselves, and our values,” Whitesell said. “This trip reshaped how we look at the world and our own lives.”

As a sophomore, Copple is already eyeing future study abroad opportunities during Winter Session and said the experience will make her a stronger pediatric occupational therapist.

“Seeing a culture and a place that’s different from your own changes your perspective,” Copple said. “It showed me to treat everyone with love and respect — no matter their background.”

For Whitesell, the trip piqued her interest in a medical mission or humanitarian aid trip.

“As a nurse, it will make me a better advocate for my patients,” she said.

(Left to right) Ashley Cooke, a senior nursing major; Anna Copple, a sophomore integrated health sciences major; and Lillian Whitesell, a senior nursing major, at Cape Point, at the southwestern tip of the African continent.

About Study Abroad and the Center for Global Programs and Studies

The Center for Global Programs and Services (CGPS) at the University of Delaware is home to the operations of UD Global, which includes Study Abroad, International Student and Scholar Services, World Scholars Program and Global Outreach and Partnerships.

In 1923, UD founded the first study abroad program by a U.S. institution. Today, UD offers 100+ programs in about 40 countries — and over 30% of UD undergrads study abroad at least once.

Students choose from semester-long programs in the fall and spring and shorter programs during winter and summer sessions. While abroad, Blue Hens take a full load of academic credits, choose to engage in internships or community service, and sharpen language and intercultural skills. Accommodations range from hotels (for some shorter programs) to residence halls, hostels and homestays.

Scholarships and financial aid are available for UD students participating in UD study abroad programs.

Follow and engage with @UDGlobal on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest updates on everything global happening at UD and #UDAbroad.