Name: Dexter Padayachee
Class Year: 2013
Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa
High School: St Martins High School
Major: Black Studies
How did you find out about Amherst? What influenced your decision to come here?: I found about Amherst through an information session hosted by Student Sponsorship Programme (SSP). Two alums from the programme, Zandile Bekwa and Thebe Tsatsimpe, were recipients of the Nelson Mandela Scholarship, so I applied. I chose Amherst because it offered an open curriculum, which universities in South Affrica don’t.
Tell Us A Bit About Where You’re From! I’m from the south of Johannesburg, Lenasia. The area used to be poverty stricken in the 90s, but it has since transformed into a mix-income area. I grew up in a house with seven siblings – big family. Most people with whom I went to primary school unfortunately didn’t finish high school. It wasn’t expected of people in my area to finish high school because of the social setting. All my siblings completed high school however; my mother stressed the idea of education. But, I was the first to go to University.
Tell Us About Your Study Abroad: I went to Cape Town during the Fall 2011 – it was amazing living in a house with international students without being in a program. I got to experience Cape Town in a different way. I chose direct enrolment because I didn’t want to have the “standard” study abroad experience in Cape Town because I was South African. It was great having all six of my roommates visit me at home in Johannesburg at one point or another during the semester.
I also went to Trinidad during Spring semester 2012. I had the time of my life. I experienced tremendous personal growth. I met amazing people that I still keep in touch with. It gave me a new perspective on myself.
Now you’re back, senior year, how are you feeling?: I’m excited, but at the same time, I have many expectations of others and myself, because of my time away. I personally want to be more real with people; I’ve always been frank but people are going to see a different side to me. I’m writing also thesis in Black Studies, which is a challenge.
Ideal Date: It would probably be going for a picnic in the afternoon; I’m big on conversation, that’s why maybe my relationships don’t last – I challenge people and love getting to know people intricately.
If You Could Have One Super Power What Would it Be: Invisibility so that I can have access to places I wouldn’t necessarily have (in a non voyeuristic way)
Dream Job: Professor and Writer
Favorite TV Show/Movie: My favorite movie changes very often and my favorite TV show is “So You Think You Can Dance.”
Extra-Curriculars: DASAC, I’m also doing the Five College Dance Faculty Concert, BSU.
Craziest Thing You’ve Ever Done: I guess playing Mas during Carnival in Trinidad.