Flensburg, 30/10/2018: Interview with Rosalia Rakkela Hamunyela (Namibian exchange student)
What do you study in Namibia?
Bachelor Transport Management
What is your occupation in Flensburg?
Student
Why have you decided to go for a study in Flensburg?
In my research that I did during my study for the purpose of assignments and studying, I realized that I would like to study abroad, gain new knowledge and new life experience, learn other cultures, and meet people from other countries. I believe that Flensburg in general is the best place for studying logistics as it has a great shipping and logistics and is situated directly on the Baltic sea, it bears a long Maritime history and it is also the big Beer producing town. I believe the Business Administration program provided by Flensburg University is an excellent one for me to consider for the completion of my degree.
What are your expectations of the semester?
I would like very much to be able to learn new things, familiarize with new educational methods and programs, and to grow as a student and as an individual. In addition, I will get a chance to interact with students from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds drawn from all over the world. The exposure is important for interaction and integration of diverse ideas and perspectives pertaining to various global issues, for the world is a mosaic of different cultures and a single perspective cannot apply in all these cultures.
What did you feel like at the beginning? Was it very difficult for you to settle?
I felt so excited to come to Germany however, being unable to speak and understand German is making my life very hard here but am learning. Settling was not an issue for me because I got a scholarship from DAAD and they provide me with accommodation, my room is 10 min walk to campus and I am 100% satisfied with the apartment.
How did the Africa Center help you?
The Africa Centre for logistic organized a trip to Hamburg for autumn students with the winter exchange students from Africa whereby we visited the port of Hamburg and we had a port tour. As a transport student during our tour in port of Hamburg I got a chance to experience all that I learned in class. Since the sea has always been in the focus of my attention I have decided to develop my career in the shipping industry in the future
What are the main differences to your studies in Namibia?
The different is when you are studying in Namibia the courses are more on theory part while here we do more of practical works.
What kind of impletion will you take home?
So far from my experience in my stay in Germany I have experienced that the transport sector especially the public transport is well organized and on time always. As a transport student I believe Namibia can do better to reduce congestion especially in the capital city “Windhoek” by investing on public transport and improve its efficiency. By sharing my experience from Germany I can help Namibia achieve this.
Finally I am determined to make the most out of my stay in German. I will optimize my stay at Hochschule University to garner a wealth of ideas that will apply when I return to my country.