Motivation
February 2004
Out of Germany, why Kenya?
My interest in the Berlin-Nairobi exchange program arose after first becoming
aware of this unique chance for Berlin physics students more than a year
ago. I decided to keep this possibility in mind. However, being in my second
semester and having just returned to Germany from my alternative service
in Israel, I chose to wait another year. During the following months I learned
more about the exchange through conversations with a former participant and
the information provided by the website. After receiving the e-mail announcing
the program for 2004, I did not hesitate any longer to apply.
But why go to Kenya, while most students prefer to spend a year in the US
or Britain?
For a long time already I was sure that I would want to do some of my studies
in a foreign country. I am actually convinced that in todays globalized world
it is important to learn more about other cultures. This cannot be done by
short touristic visits, but only by entering a foreign society and living
as a part of it. I have already experienced this while staying in the US
and Israel. By going to a country I am not acquainted to and which like Kenya
is so different from my home country in cultural aspects, I expect to learn
a lot more than during a stay somewhere in the so called “western world”.
Especially as I have not been to Africa, except for a short visit to Egypt,
which surely still is very different from a sub-Saharan country.
Actually, living in Germany, I never learned much about Africa. Our media
mainly mention the civil wars in African countries, but even these receive
far less attention than other conflicts in the world. Hardly ever background
information is provided. For German politicians Africa does not play a very
relevant role, which was for example shown when our chancellor on visiting
the continent totally ignored that also Germany played a role in colonialism.
During history lessons at school I did not learn anything about pre-colonized
Africa. I am therefore interested in getting to know an African country with
it's history and culture (maybe even learning a bit of the local language
Swahili), as well as todays problems and politics.
Nairobi with the University of Nairobi, said to be the best university between
the Sahara and South Africa, offers this possibility while at the same time
I can continue my studies in physics. Actually being integrated into the
university will surely give an interesting perspective on Kenya's society.
This would also allow me to get to know a different university system with
its advantages and disadvantages, one of the aspects being research and teaching
with a lower budget than in German universities. During my school time in
the US I experienced that while it is not always easy to adjust to some circumstances,
it can also be enriching and even motivating for the studies to get in contact
with different methods of teaching. For sure I would be able to judge better
the German system. From a first glimpse at the courses offered by the UoN
physics department I noticed that subjects like “history and philosophy of
physics” and “environmental physics” are included in the curriculum – classes
I would like to attend, which are not offered at FU-Berlin.
I would not go to Kenya with the expectation of learning about all of Africa.
This continent is more diverse and some less developed country, Kenya
being the most advanced in the region, might give me better insights on many
of the problems faced there. The combination with my studies, however, would
be difficult elsewhere.
Through reports I would send to friends and family, my visit would be a small
step to advance knowledge about Kenya and Eastern Africa in Germany. Living
in Nairobi I would show people I meet an interest in their country going
beyond simple tourism.
During the information evening on the exchange program I have become convinced
that this initiative is not only about studying physics somewhere else. I
especially like the philosophy of not simply wanting to bring development
aid, but helping to integrate Kenyan scientists into worldwide cooperation
and raising awareness of the existence of good universities also in countries
like Kenya. In view of this I think it is important also to have a backwards
exchange of Kenyan students to Germany and it thus is a pity that the DAAD
funding for next year was cancelled. As participant and afterwards I would
try to do my best to benefit the exchange program, not only seeing it as
a chance for myself, but also as an idea worth promoting.
Another idea I like are the different projects. Until now I have not decided
for a particular field in physics, however, participating in one of the projects
might help me in this decision. I take special interest in the solar energy
project, on the background of my environmental activity dating back to my
school time. Particularly I am concerned about nuclear and fossil energy
production and alternative possibilities. In this context I consider the
chance of bringing together my interest in physics on the one side and the
environment and politics on the other side as an attractive prospect. Kenya
will have an increasing demand for electricity in the future, so I was very
pleased to hear that physicists in Nairobi work on photo-voltaics. Apart
from this project, however, I could as well imagine working on the laser
measurements of air quality or science policy topics.
Not to forget, I am interested in the nature and climate of Kenya, as it
lies in a region of the world I have never been to. Former participants have
stressed the beauty of Kenya's National Parks and Mount Kenya, where I would
definitely enjoy hiking.
Through staying in the US and Israel I have some foreign experience. Especially
being in Israel after the outbreak of the second Intifada was not always
easy. On the other hand I had the chance to learn about the Middle-Eastern
conflict from a totally different perspective. However, I am aware that being
in a “third world” country I would surely face more and especially different
challenges. Participating in a program which already exists for six years
will ease things for me, as the way was paved by former participants. I am
not sure if I would make such a step without the backing of an existing exchange
program.
In conclusion I believe a visiting year at the University of Nairobi would
allow me to learn about Kenya's culture, history and politics, while at the
same time advancing in my academic studies.
I would be very delighted if I were chosen to participate in the Berlin-Nairobi
exchange program.
Jonas Lähnemann,
February 2004