Outbound Students - 2010

Back to Wits from a Summer School Programme Democratic Governance and Civic Engagement - Osnabruck University, Germany

By SA . Said Antoissi & Trust Mvuntuguyi: MA, International Relations

We are back to Wits from a three weeks - Summer School Programme ?Democratic Governance and Civic Engagement? hosted by the University of Osnabruck from the 4^th to 25^th July, 2010.

It was indeed an amazing exposure to learn a bit of the German language and to engage on issues around Democratic Governance and Civic Engagement, and Participation and Environmental Policy with other international students at Osnabruck University.

Beyond the class rooms, the excursions, tours and parties offered by the Summer School Programme in and outside Osnabruck City presented opportunities to make friends, get to know ourselves better and more importantly about the German history and culture.

Unique aspects of the programme: it was well organized, executed, and geographically representative. Students from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and the U.S.A engaged in vibrant discussions and debates on constitutional democracy, state and civil society relations, and climate change from the knowledge and experiences of their respective regions.

The city is peaceful, entertaining and its people are mindful about environmental conservation. The University should be proud of itself for hosting such a special event. We left the city saying the programme was ?wunderbar?, a German word meaning wonderful! While some shall remember the good time we had at Osnabruck, others look forward to go back and continue from where they left with the Summer School and take Democratic Governance and Participation and Environmental Policy courses at Postgraduate level.

As IR students, we were privileged to visit the venue where the Westphalia Treaty was signed! We hope that our journey was the beginning of a long term partnership between Wits University and the University of Osnabruck.

Exchange Programme at University of Basel - Dineo Skosana

I took up four courses which were relevant to my field of interest and research focus. Even though I have taken courses with similar focus in my undergraduate years, the courses
offered in Basel provided a different perspective mainly because of the different literature that was used to engage with certain debates and concepts. I also found it academically enhancing to be taught by different lectures.

This experience made it possible for me to share and engage academically with the students in Basel. We were able to exchange ideas on Africa and South Africa and Europe. It was interesting to observe the extant of knowledge that students in Basel have about Africa and South Africa.

I participated in Volleyball during my extra time. This helped me to socialise with students. It also gave me some enlightenment on cultural similarities and differences between students in Basel and students at Wits. Being a sports player at the University of Basel demonstrated some of the ways which cultural, racial, economic etc, differences could be overcome.

Lastly, I was part of the Swiss South African Joint Research Programme (SSJRP): Safeguarding Democracy workshop. The workshop contributed tremendously to my research. It gave me ideas about some of the questions that need to be raised for my Masters research project. It opened up networks with researchers who have similar interests.

Generally, being part of university life and academic programmes at the University of Basel certainly provided with an enriching experience and contributed to my personal development.

Evelyn R Makanda - Part of the PIE programme from 2010-2011

"Taking part in the Bard College Program for International Education was such an amazing and rewarding experience. I learnt a lot and grew a lot through this amazing opportunity on all levels of my life, socially, academically and intellectually. The most outstanding part for me was that I always wanted to have my own experience of the American culture and social lives apart from what the media informs and likewise share my culture and way of life with the Bard students apart from what the media tells them. It is not always likely that people get the chance to travel and have experiences of a given society hence an opportunity like the PIE program gives you the first hand chance to learn have this.

The academic side was great although I was very nervous the first couple of days with culture shock taking its toll, I must say I did cope very well. I enjoyed the smaller class setting at Bard College which gives you that comprehensiveness and absorption of information, you cannot lose attention because of the personal relationship the professor has with the student. I absolutely enjoyed all the classes I took at Bard because it was nice to bring in a different perspective and examples from another part of the world and not making the class American centric and all my professors really enjoyed having me in their classes.

In addition I also took advantage of great opportunities to travel around the country as travelling is one of my greatest interests, I visited places like the Washington monument, Museums around New York, Georgia Aquarium and many other places that I always wanted to visit. I made really good friends who made me comfortable and my stay worthwhile and some have indeed impacted my life even for the long run. The weather in New York is not always favorable, however taking part in this program is all about stepping out of your comfort zone and facing challenges, only when you overcome a challenge you have grown as an individual."