My name is Thapelo Sebolai from South Africa. I was born on 2nd December 1997, so at the
time of writing this, I am exactly 17 years and one day old.
I come from a family of four; it is only me, my older sister, my mother and my father. I attended Weltevreden Park Primary school from grades 1 to 7. I then moved on to a greater and tougher journey when I attended high school. I obtained a scholarship to attend a considerably well- known all- boys’ school situated in Randburg called St Stithians Boys’ College. My experience at Saints taught me many things about myself. Through the numerous gruelling camps, most notably our 10th grade seven day hike through mountains and forests, I learnt lessons of perseverance, brotherhood and strength in numbers to name but a few. However, my journey did not end there, its intricacies remain a mystery to me.
It was in the Spring of last year that I applied to ALA, after months of intense arguments with my mother about my wanting to leave the Saints community. I was in my 11th grade year and being a senior, I began to be placed in leadership roles. Ironically, this is a position that after my stint as deputy head boy at my primary school, I have never fully enjoyed being placed in. However, my awesome, albeit short time at ALA has somewhat altered my perspective. I now believe that if given the opportunity and if I am the right person for the job, I should always lead and make the best I can of it.
My ALA experience has had its ups and downs. Despite the fact that living close to campus is seemingly advantageous I honestly have hardly felt the need to go home as often as I could. These days I have even begun to think of ALA as my home. When I am actually at home and I need to return to school, I find myself telling my dad to “take me back home.” In fact, during holiday periods I prefer to stay on campus. For some, this may be bewildering, but the fact that my real home is so close, lowers my heart ache significantly.
My academic experience has been challenging, however, not due to its difficulty, but rather due to adapting to how “Cambridge International Examinations” CIE works. Coming from an IEB “Independent Examinations Board” background of four years, the accepted practices here are vastly different to what I have experienced. I hope that my grades will increase to all A- stars and that I will continue to develop myself into the best person that I can become.