SEVEN Nelson Mandela University students are flying South Africa’s flag high after they were selected to participate in an exclusive summer school programme in Germany.
Out of the 40 students who applied from this university, six were accepted on a scholarship basis and one on a self-funding basis.
The students, Anisha Mentoor, Ferlando Mkiva, Ilke van Vuuren, Tsireledzo Musecho, Azola Fumba, Rochenda Boswell and Sibahle Gunu, will be taking part in the Technische Universitat Braunschweig (TU Braunschweig) International Summer School for German Language and Culture. The Summer School commenced on July 4 and runs until July 29, in Braunschweig, Germany.
The partially covered scholarship offered by TU Braunschweig includes accommodation, flights and a food allowance.
Coordinator of digital platforms and short learning programmes at NMU, Ashleigh Brown, said that the programme boasts an exciting theoretical experience, assisting the students in expanding their German language skills, as well as an exhilarating cultural and practical experience as the students meet other students from different parts of the globe.
“The seven students departed from Gqeberha on July 1 and arrived in Braunschweig on July 2. The Nelson Mandela University International Office is excited to be able to facilitate the first Outbound Mobility Initiative, after being unable to do so for almost two years, due to COVID-19.
“This programme is one of the first in a series of Internationalisation at Home initiatives hosted by the Mandela International Office,” Brown said.
One of the students, Mentoor, said that the privilege of being awarded a scholarship to attend the summer school had been both life-changing and a blessing for her and her family.
“When I first saw that there was an opportunity for students to go to Germany, I was excited but also did not think that I would be chosen for it. However, that all changed when I was pushed towards applying for the opportunity to go there,” she said.
“The wait had me anxious and finally, the news came in that I’m going to Germany. Words cannot even explain the feeling that coursed through my heart and mind when I found out that I had been considered and accepted.”
She added that preparing for the trip was not easy but the fact that she would be going made all of the efforts worth it.
“I honestly couldn’t wait to experience everything from just waking up in a new country, to learning in a different language, to the excursions, etc.
“I can already tell that I’m going to enjoy being in the company of the other students since we’ve already made contact with one another and I’m hoping for nothing but the best possible experience there. I’m thankful for this chance to go and learn more and become accustomed to a whole new nation for this brief period.”
Another student, Musecho, said that it still felt surreal.
“The trip to Germany is a big opportunity, one that I was excited for and in all honesty, I couldn’t wait. At the beginning of 2022, I was just a village girl who had never even been on an aeroplane before, and now I have flown halfway across the world representing not only my family, but my community and my school.
“I still remember the disbelief I felt when I got the opportunity, and if anything, this should be a testament that every great dream begins with a dreamer,” she said.
“I have looked forward to the experience of a new world, one completely different from my own, to learn a new language and simply live in the moment. After all, opportunities like these only come once in a lifetime.
“Like a true African girl, the thrill is in trying out the food – which I was most excited about and to hopefully inspire all to simply go for it, whether it’s too big a dream or not.”
