Druex Collins learned an interesting saying during her transformational South African trip: "If it's yellow, let it mellow and if it's brown, flush it down."
 
Visiting Cape Town and Johannesburg as part of a study abroad trip, Collins was there during a drought in which the inhabitants had to limit their water consumption. It was an eye-opening experience for Collins.
 
"We had to take 90-second showers and couldn't turn on water to wash our hands," Collins said. "I know I use way more water than I should. Now, I unconsciously turn off water. I try to take shorter showers now than before I traveled. For me, I am much more appreciative. I learned that I don't need as much water as I used to."
 
A psychology major and rising senior on the Towson University women's track and field program, Collins returned to Washington, D.C. changed after exploring a different culture, meeting new people and gaining a deeper understanding that water is a precious commodity in other areas of the world.
 
And Collins got a powerful perspective of the world -- looking down from the majestic Table Mountain apex.
 
"Everything we did during the trip touched me significantly," Collins said. "It took us an hour and 15 minutes to climb Table Mountain. That was new. Thank God I was in shape. Some people were dying. This was my first time out of the country. Before I arrived (to South Africa), I thought it was deserted and with animals. I was wrong. It was very city."
 
Collins crammed plenty of unforgettable experiences into her three-week stay. She visited a safari, hiked Table Mountain, the iconic centerpiece of Cape Town, shopped at various flea markets, spent time on Penguin Beach and toured Robben Island, a small landmass located off the coast of Cape Town in Table Bay most notably known for where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his 27 prison sentence before being instated as president.
 
"Knowing that Nelson Mandela fought for that country and was willing to give up most of his life years for equal opportunities was amazing," Collins said. "I started the trip with no expectations. I was amazed that we were going to be there in the first place. I was really anxious to see what his cell and the environment around the prison was like. It was kind of amazing to me all this trauma that can exist in paradise. The prison is beautiful. There's the blue sky and the beach is nice plus there are palm trees there."
 
The visit to Robben Island moved Collins. According to several historical documents, Mandela wanted Robben Island to be seen as the place of the triumph of the human spirit.
 
Robben Island provides insight into the struggles and triumphs of the past. Collins prepped for the trip by reading lots of Mandela related information. Though she didn't to see the inside of Mandela's 8-foot by 7-foot prison cell, Collins was fortunate that her tour guide was one of Mandela's closest friends and prison mate.
 
With more than 30.4 million South African residents living in poverty, Collins witnessed this first hand. In a recent report released in April by the World Bank, the top one percent of South Africans own 70.9 percent of the country's wealth while the bottom 60 percent only controls seven percent of the country's assets.
 
"Poverty is very high," Collins said. "There's a big difference than here in America. It's a whole different ballgame. People are desperate for anything you can give them. A guy walked for five minutes behind me with his hands out and felt the need to entertain me. During our trips to a lot of flea markets, the merchants appeared to be more desperate to sell their clothes."
 
Collins' once-in-a-lifetime trip was funded through a combination of sources. She's the first in her family to visit Africa. It was her first time leaving America. Her itinerary, which brought the Travel Channel to life, included a 13-hour flight from Dulles International Airport to Dubai for a 19-hour layover. The trip ended with a 10-hour flight from Dubai to Cape Town.
 
Collins, who enjoys listening to Drake and Beyoncé, is still a student of track. She was a band dancer in high school until running track as a senior. She ran at Prince George's Community College for two years before arriving at Towson last season. She was a significant contributor to the Tigers' success last season. Towson finished third in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championships.
 
"I've had a great experience with Towson," Collins said. "I still consider myself new to the sport. Even though I went to community college for two years, I am still learning and figuring out what event is best for me. Coach (Mike) Jackson wants me to run the 800-meter next year. I love everyone on the team. Coach Jackson has been a big help. He's patient and believes in you, which has helped me get comfortable."
 
She was at ease during her three weeks in South Africa. Collins stayed in Cape Town for two weeks and Johannesburg for a week. To document her trip, Collins had a daily three-hour discussion with her classmates in a lecture hall area inside of the hotel, listened to guest speakers and wrote in her journal daily. A final reflection paper was submitted at the end of June.
 
"Knowing Africa is so far away, I don't know when I'll get back so that made me sad," Collins said. "I am blessed to have this study abroad opportunity because I know a lot of people don't get this chance. It was a once in a lifetime experience that I will cherish."