This morning at 5:14am I opened my eyes with the realization that today would be our last full day in South Africa. While there was excitement about visiting the Cape of Good Hope and seeing African penguins up close, a wave of emotion hit — the kind that comes when something deeply meaningful is beginning to wind down.

Last night during our group meeting I shared that many of us have experienced our own version of Eat, Pray, Love on this journey. What that means will vary for each of us who’ve shared the past 16 days, but the transformation is something we all feel.

Our group meals have evolved from efficient, polite conversations into something intimate and full of life — shared stories, passed plates, deep laughter, and meaningful connection. We’ve grown from a group of 18 near-strangers into something that feels very much like a family.

Some of us live close enough to already be planning ways to meet up again, to maintain the bonds we’ve formed. We’re also looking ahead to November, when we’ll reunite at the museum and share how we’ve brought this experience home — into our classrooms and school communities.

But this is the tricky part — how do you say goodbye to people who have become a part of your heart, knowing your paths may never cross again? How do you return home with the knowledge that a piece of yourself will forever remain here, in this breathtaking country?

Each night, our reflections have been guided by thoughtful questions meant to help us process this experience. And I think many of us are still trying to fully understand how South Africa — and especially its people — have changed us.

There have been quiet conversations about how we’ll share this journey with our students and loved ones, and deeper talks about the personal growth we’ve experienced. As educators, we’ve dedicated our lives to preparing the next generation to discover who they are and how they can make the world a better place. The connections we’ve made and the perspective we’ve gained will help us do that work with more authenticity and a deeper, global understanding — because once you look beyond the surface, you realize: we are all one family.

Then, just when we were bracing ourselves for goodbyes, life threw us a curveball: our return flight was canceled. We’re still working out the details, but in true South African spirit, we’re choosing to make the most of it. We’re leaning into the extra time we’ve been given here, soaking in every last moment.

Today we made it to the Cape of Good Hope — and it did not disappoint. The hike to the tip felt like stepping into Middle-earth or a forgotten corner of the world. It was breathtaking in every sense, with rugged landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and even close encounters with baboons. We split into two groups — one took the bus to the lighthouse while the rest of us hiked the trail. We all met at the base, faces full of smiles, as we posed proudly beside the Cape of Good Hope sign before continuing on.

Next, we visited Boulders Penguin Sanctuary — a dream come true for many in our group. There, we watched wild African penguins waddling freely along the beach. The comical little creatures delighted everyone. One group member even fulfilled a student’s wish by mimicking a penguin’s waddle, joined by several others — creating a moment of pure joy and laughter.

As we ride the bus to a late lunch, a familiar lyric echoes in my mind — “because I knew you, I have been changed for good.” It’s from the musical Wicked, and it feels like the perfect reflection of what this experience has meant. Saying goodbye to Noma and Zinhle — the incredible South African educators who joined us on this journey — will be especially hard, knowing our paths may never cross again. But each of us carries something lasting from the time we’ve shared. We are different now. Better. Wiser. And in the truest sense of the phrase — changed for good.

And so, I’ll close with a line from an earlier blog that still holds true:

You don’t just visit South Africa.
You fall into it — heart first.
So deep and so suddenly, you don’t even realize it’s happening…
until you’ve already changed.
Forever — and beautifully.
— unknown