Motivation
February 2005
Since the beginning of my physics studies it was certain for me that I
want to study one semester or more abroad, if possible with the support
of an exchange. Besides I was always interested in different cultures
and ways of life and could already earn some experiences in the EU,
Romania and Israel. But until now I was never able to earn experiences
in far distant countries, that have a different cultural background.
When I heard of the Berlin-Nairobi Exchange, the decision was then
easy. A year in Africa with the exchange is the ideal connection of my
both most important interests: Studying physics and learning from
different cultures.
For this combination Nairobi in Kenya is the best choice. The country
is politically stable enough to provide a good study environment.
Furthermore Kenya is a black African country whose history, with the
colonial age and the Arab and Indian influences, differs much from the
European and especially from the German history.
The curriculum of the University of Nairobi offers many courses in
theoretical physics, which is my priority at the Technical University
Berlin. I would, for example, be able to deepen my knowledge of
statistic physics and quantum mechanics. Also mathematical physics is
offered so that I could continue my elective course for my diploma.
Since the instruction language is English, I will be able to improve my
knowledge of science language.
The Berlin-Nairobi Exchange operates many interesting projects, but
above all I am interested in the Interactive Screen Experiments (ISEs)
and the energy model project. I think the ISEs are a great opportunity
to build a physics course with good experimental instruction at
financially weak universities. Since the ISEs were developed
considerably at the Technical University Berlin, I would have the
chance to learn about the creation of the ISEs before the exchange, so
that I could carry new ideas to Nairobi. Personally I would like to
extend the realism of the IBEs, e.g. by "errors" or different measuring
tables. The energy model project interests me above all because of its
possible meaning for the African environmental policy. A good,
meaningful energy model could be strong argument for the insertion of
renewable energy-sources in future policy planning. After conversations
with former exchange students the main task here seems to be to contact
future partners in Africa.
If I will find the time I would like to learn more about the culture of
Kenya, maybe in a course in Kenyan history or a language lesson in
Swahili. I would also like to see the beautiful landscape, that Kenya
provides. The near mountains attract me for hiking, as the Lake
Victoria does. I hope to find the opportunity to play trumpet in
Nairobi, so that I could meet people from outside the university. Maybe
this way I could get the chance to get to know the life outside the
city, since it would be much less "western" than life in Nairobi.
In my opinion the problem with the reports of the participants in the
exchange consists mainly of the fact that the writing of the reports
briefly after the beginning of the exchange represents a large barrier.
At this early stage the participants have to get used to the
surroundings and surely are under big pressure in the university, too.
That makes the writing of a long report more difficult. The form of the
report should be changed, e.g. into diary-like entries or shorter
reports on special events, like on project presentations or on
experiences of the life in Africa. I would like to replace the long
report with several "continuous" short reports. So the expenditure for
a contribution would decrease. Often participants write mass emails to
friends, which could also be published. An old contribution which won't
fulfill the conviction of a participant would be followed by a new one
to correct the older one, so that a kind of dynamic could develop. By
that it would be possible for strangers to see the personal development
of a participant. A useful extension of this form of report would be a
forum on the homepage of the exchange. Then each visitor of the page
could change parts and/or add new parts without the use of programs.
That way comments and questions could be written by visitors.
Altogether such a solution would make the writing of reports much more
spontaneous and direct and would be a great improvement for the current
page.
Malte Vogl,
February 2005